Ilkeston, England, a town in Derbyshire, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Ilkeston, England, with an average daily output of 5.15 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.29 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn (2.24 kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (1.08 kWh/day).

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power in this location year-round. The long summer days and higher sun angles contribute to the peak performance during the warmer months, making it an ideal time for solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Ilkeston, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the town's latitude and the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Ilkeston:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Ilkeston experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can affect solar output.
3. Short winter days: The limited daylight hours during winter months contribute to the low solar production in this season.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, especially after rainy periods.
• Consider a hybrid system combining solar with other renewable energy sources to ensure consistent power supply year-round.
• Install solar panel optimizers or microinverters to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

While Ilkeston's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more productive spring and 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 754 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 Ilkeston

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.9622, Longitude: -1.3772 (Ilkeston, 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 Ilkeston, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ilkeston, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.9622, -1.3772) 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 Ilkeston, 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 Ilkeston, 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	45° 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 Ilkeston, 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 Ilkeston, 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 Ilkeston, United Kingdom

The topography around Ilkeston, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys typical of the East Midlands region. The town itself is situated on a small hill, with the surrounding landscape gradually sloping down towards the Erewash Valley to the west. The area is predominantly rural, with a mix of agricultural fields, small woodlands, and scattered settlements. To the east of Ilkeston, the terrain becomes slightly more elevated, forming part of the Nottinghamshire Wolds. This area features a series of low ridges and shallow valleys, creating a patchwork of fields and hedgerows. The River Erewash flows through the western part of the region, carving a shallow valley that runs roughly north-south.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Ilkeston could potentially be suitable for solar PV development. These areas offer expansive, open fields with fewer obstructions to sunlight. The gently undulating terrain in this direction provides opportunities for south-facing slopes, which can maximize solar energy capture. Another promising area for solar PV installations might be found in the reclaimed land of former coal mining sites to the north and northeast of Ilkeston. These brownfield sites often have large, open spaces that could be repurposed for renewable energy generation. The relatively flat terrain of these reclaimed areas could provide ideal conditions for solar panel arrays. It's important to note that while these areas may have suitable topography for solar PV, other factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when determining the feasibility of large-scale solar projects in the region around Ilkeston.

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!

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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.