Solar PV Analysis of Hove, United Kingdom
Hove, England, United Kingdom, is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the amount of electricity that can be produced varies significantly depending on the season.
In simple terms, you'll get the most power from your solar panels in summer and spring when there's more sunlight. Specifically, you can expect about 5.79 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and around 5.12 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt of solar panel installed.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and less sunny, your panels will produce less electricity - approximately 2.59 kWh/day in autumn and just about 1.09 kWh/day in winter for each kilowatt of installed solar panel capacity.
If you're considering installing fixed-panel solar systems at this location, it's recommended to tilt them at an angle of 43 degrees facing south to maximize total annual energy production.
As far as potential challenges go - like any other place with changing seasons - Hove might experience issues such as snowfall or heavy rainfall which could block sunlight from reaching the panels or even damage them physically over time. Regular maintenance checks are crucial to ensure that your system remains clean and free from debris or damage that could affect its efficiency.
Additionally, cloudy weather common to UK may also reduce output so it would be wise to consider battery storage solutions which can store excess power generated during sunnier periods for use during times when generation drops due to cloud cover or short daylight hours.
Overall though with proper installation techniques including optimal positioning (tilt & orientation), regular maintenance plus possible addition of a battery storage solution; Hove presents quite a viable location for harnessing renewable energy via Solar PV systems throughout much of the year.
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 761 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 Hove
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8345, Longitude: -0.186 (Hove, 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 Hove, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hove, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.8345, -0.186) 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 Hove, 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 Hove, 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 Hove, 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 Hove, 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 Hove, United Kingdom
Hove, United Kingdom is located on the southern coast of England, in East Sussex. The topography around Hove is largely flat or gently sloping towards the sea with some hilly areas further inland. It's part of the larger Brighton and Hove urban area which is relatively densely populated with buildings and infrastructure.
The climate in this region typically experiences mild, wet winters and warm, slightly wet summers. This coastal location does receive a decent amount of sunshine compared to other parts of the UK which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open spaces that are free from shadows caused by buildings or vegetation are needed. Some potential locations could be:
1) Farmland: There are several farmlands to the north and east of Hove where large scale solar farms could be installed without causing too much visual disruption.
2) Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or industrial estates often have large flat roofs that can accommodate significant numbers of solar panels.
3) Brownfield sites: These are previously developed land that has potential for re-development. They may be suitable for placing a large number of solar panels as they're usually not used for any other purpose.
4) Car parks: Installing solar canopies over car parks can generate electricity while also providing shade and protection from rain to parked cars.
However, each site would need individual assessment considering factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations etc., before deciding whether it's suited for installing largescale Solar PV.
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 19th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
