Solar PV Analysis of Hounslow, United Kingdom
The location at Hounslow, England, United Kingdom, is moderately suitable for generating solar energy all year round. This suitability varies across different seasons due to changes in sunlight exposure.
During the summer season, the solar panels can generate 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This high production makes summer the most ideal time of year for generating solar power in Hounslow.
In spring, the panels can generate 4.36 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity which is also quite good and makes spring another favourable season for generating solar energy here.
However, during autumn and winter seasons, the potential drops significantly due to less sunlight exposure with only 2.31 kWh/day and 1.07 kWh/day being generated respectively per kW of installed capacity.
To maximize your total yearly production from a fixed panel installation at this location you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing South. This will ensure they receive as much sunlight as possible throughout all seasons.
As far as local factors that could impede solar production at this location are concerned; weather conditions such as frequent cloud cover or fog could limit sun exposure thereby reducing energy generation potential from your PV system. Topography or physical features like tall buildings or trees around your property might also cast shadows on your panels which would again reduce their effectiveness.
To prevent these issues from affecting your system's performance it's advisable to install the panels in a spot where they won't be overshadowed by surrounding structures or vegetation especially during peak sun hours (between 9 AM and 3 PM). Regular cleaning and maintenance should also be carried out especially after adverse weather conditions such as storms or snowfall to ensure maximum efficiency is maintained.
Overall though, while not perfect - with careful planning and consideration towards installation placement & upkeep - Hounslow can still be a viable location for harnessing solar energy.
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 Hounslow
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4674, Longitude: -0.3556 (Hounslow, 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 44° South in Hounslow, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hounslow, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4674, -0.3556) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Hounslow, 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 Hounslow, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° 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 | 55° South in Autumn | 65° 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 Hounslow, 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 Hounslow, 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 Hounslow, United Kingdom
Hounslow, United Kingdom, is located in the Greater London area and it is largely flat with a few gently undulating areas. It's an urbanized area with buildings, roads, and infrastructure. The River Thames flows to the south of Hounslow.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, open and less developed areas would be more suitable. However, given that Hounslow is largely urbanized, there might not be many such spaces available. In this case, rooftop solar installations on commercial or industrial buildings could be an option.
It's also important to note that the UK isn't known for its high levels of sunshine which can impact the efficiency of solar panels. However, modern solar panels can still generate electricity on cloudy days so it shouldn't necessarily rule out the possibility.
A detailed site survey would be required to identify specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations considering factors like sunlight exposure (solar irradiance), local climate conditions and planning regulations among others.
Nearby regions with more open spaces such as agricultural lands or less densely populated areas might offer better opportunities for large scale ground-mounted solar farms than central Hounslow itself.
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: Thursday 1st of February 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.
