Huncote, England, a village in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.09 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.22 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn, producing only 2.18 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest generation, with a mere 1.03 kWh/day.

These figures highlight that Huncote's solar potential is heavily skewed towards the warmer months. The period from late spring through early autumn offers the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with long daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Huncote, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize the capture of sunlight across all seasons, balancing between the high summer sun and the low winter sun.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Huncote:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Rain: Huncote experiences rainfall throughout the year, which can affect panel efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar generation.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for diffuse light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat rain and dust accumulation
• Consider adding a solar tracking system to maximize light capture, especially during shorter winter days

While Huncote's location isn't ideal for year-round solar production, the strong performance during summer and spring makes solar PV a viable option. With proper installation and maintenance, residents can still benefit significantly from solar energy, particularly as a supplement to other power sources.

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 Huncote

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.577, Longitude: -1.2397 (Huncote, 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 45° South in Huncote, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Huncote, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.577, -1.2397) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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 Huncote, 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 Huncote, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
36° South in Summer	56° South in Autumn	66° South in Winter	44° 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 Huncote, 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 Huncote, United Kingdom.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Huncote, United Kingdom

The area around Huncote, a village in Leicestershire, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling countryside typical of the English Midlands. The topography is predominantly low-lying, with subtle undulations and shallow valleys created by small streams and rivers. The landscape is a mix of agricultural fields, pastures, and scattered woodlands, with elevations generally ranging between 60 to 100 meters above sea level. To the north and east of Huncote, the terrain gradually slopes towards the Soar Valley, where the River Soar meanders through a broader floodplain. This area is relatively flat, with occasional low hills and ridges. To the south and west, the land becomes slightly more elevated, with a series of gentle hills and shallow valleys.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Huncote, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically be those with good sun exposure, minimal shading, and relatively flat or gently sloping terrain. The agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Huncote present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas often feature expansive, open fields with few obstructions, providing excellent solar exposure throughout the day. The gentle slopes in this direction can also be advantageous, as they may naturally face towards the south, maximizing sunlight capture. Another potentially suitable area lies to the northeast of Huncote, where the landscape opens up towards the Soar Valley. The flatter terrain in this region could accommodate large solar arrays with minimal earthwork required. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas prone to flooding near the river. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when assessing the feasibility of large-scale solar PV installations. Additionally, the impact on local agriculture and visual amenity would need to be carefully considered in this predominantly rural landscape.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.