Solar PV Analysis of Horsham, United Kingdom
The location at Horsham, England, United Kingdom, is moderately suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The most productive times of year are in summer and spring, where you can expect to generate approximately 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 4.36 kWh per day respectively for each kilowatt of solar installed. During autumn and winter, the electricity output decreases to around 2.31 kWh/day and 1.07 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours.
To maximize yearly production from a fixed panel installation, it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of 43 degrees facing southwards.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect solar production in Horsham.
Firstly, the UK's weather patterns might pose a challenge as it tends to be cloudy or rainy quite often which can reduce sunlight exposure on the panels leading to less electricity generation.
Secondly, any physical obstructions like tall buildings or trees nearby could also block sunlight from reaching your panels effectively reducing their productivity.
Lastly, dust accumulation on solar panels over time can decrease their efficiency too but this issue is not significant compared with others mentioned above.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Choose a clear site without any potential obstructions blocking direct sunlight.
2) Regular maintenance including cleaning of dust or debris off your panels will help keep them running efficiently.
3) Using advanced technology like bifacial solar modules that capture light from both sides can help increase power output during cloudy days.
4) If possible consider installing tracking systems which allow your panels follow sun’s path across sky ensuring maximum exposure throughout day despite seasonal changes in sun’s position.
In conclusion while Horsham isn't an ideal location for producing energy via solar PV all-year-round due its climate and latitude; with right equipment setup it's still possible to generate reasonable amounts particularly during spring/summer months.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 911 locations across United Kingdom. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in United Kingdom by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Horsham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.025, Longitude: -0.2978 (Horsham, United Kingdom), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 43° South in Horsham, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Horsham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.025, -0.2978) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° South for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Horsham, United Kingdom
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Horsham, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 43° South in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Horsham, United Kingdom
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Horsham, United Kingdom.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Horsham, United Kingdom
Horsham, located in West Sussex, England, has a relatively flat topography with some gentle hills. It is situated at approximately 50 meters above sea level and the landscape is characterized by farmland, forests and residential areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are ideal as they allow for maximum exposure to sunlight. In Horsham's case, the vast farmlands surrounding the town could potentially be suitable for such installations. These include areas towards Southwater to the south of Horsham or Broadbridge Heath to the west.
However, it's important to note that suitability doesn't just depend on topography alone but also factors like local climate (amount of sunlight received), land use regulations (whether solar installations are permitted on agricultural lands), environmental considerations (impact on local wildlife or ecosystems) and grid connectivity (proximity to power lines or substations). Therefore a thorough feasibility study would need to be carried out before deciding on any specific location.
In terms of sunlight availability - according to Met Office data - this region does receive a decent amount of sunshine especially from late spring through early autumn which makes it viable for solar energy generation.
United Kingdom solar PV Stats as a country
United Kingdom ranks 14th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 13,689 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.00% of United Kingdom's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 20th in the world). Each year United Kingdom is generating 203 Watts from solar PV per capita (United Kingdom ranks 25th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United Kingdom?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United Kingdom. The UK government offers a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme which pays businesses for every unit of electricity they generate from their solar panels. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for tax reliefs such as Enhanced Capital Allowances and Renewable Heat Incentives. Finally, some local authorities offer grants or other financial support to help businesses with the cost of installing solar energy systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United Kingdom? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 5th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
