Solar PV Analysis of Huntingdon, United Kingdom
The location at Huntingdon, England, United Kingdom, is reasonable but not perfect for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies throughout the year. During the summer and spring months, you can expect to produce more electricity - 5.15 kilowatt-hours per day in the summer and 4.29 kilowatt-hours per day in the spring for every kilowatt of installed solar power. This means these seasons are ideal times to generate solar energy at this location.
However, during autumn and winter months, production drops significantly due to shorter days and less sunlight - down to 2.24 kilowatt-hours per day in autumn and just 1.08 kilowatt-hours per day in winter.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing south will maximize total annual production from your solar panels.
There could be some local factors that may affect your ability to generate solar power here though. For instance, Huntingdon is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce sunlight exposure on your panels hence reducing their efficiency.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning: Over time dust particles can accumulate on top of your panel surface blocking them from receiving full sun rays.
2) Using high-efficiency modules: These types of modules perform better under low light conditions such as when it's cloudy or foggy.
3) Installing a tracking system: Although it might cost more initially than fixed systems, they follow the path of the sun ensuring maximum exposure throughout daylight hours increasing overall output even during less sunny seasons like Autumn/Winter.
Remember though each situation is unique so before installing any system do consult with professionals who would provide advice based on specific needs/circumstances including budget constraints if any exist!
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 Huntingdon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.3325, Longitude: -0.1844 (Huntingdon, 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 Huntingdon, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Huntingdon, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.3325, -0.1844) 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 Huntingdon, 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 Huntingdon, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Huntingdon, 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 Huntingdon, 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 Huntingdon, United Kingdom
Huntingdon is located in the county of Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom. The topography around Huntingdon is generally flat with gentle rolling hills. It's part of the East Anglian plains, which are characterized by low-lying and relatively flat terrain.
The River Great Ouse passes through this town and there are several small lakes and water bodies in the vicinity. The area has a mix of urban settlements and agricultural lands.
Regarding suitability for large-scale solar PV installations, open agricultural lands that receive good sunlight would be highly suitable given their flatness and lack of obstructions to sunlight. Also, these areas are typically less ecologically sensitive compared to forested or wetland regions.
However, it's important to note that any such project would need to take into account various factors including land usage rights, impact on local ecosystems & wildlife as well as potential visual impacts on the landscape. Local planning regulations may also have specific requirements or restrictions related to renewable energy projects.
Solar farm developers usually conduct detailed site assessments including solar irradiance studies (to understand how much sun an area gets), grid connection studies (to see how easily the power produced can be fed into the electricity network) etc., before deciding on a particular location for development.
It's advisable to engage with professional consultants who specialize in renewable energy project development for conducting such feasibility studies & site assessments.
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 21st of April 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.
