Keighley, England, United Kingdom, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for year-round solar PV energy generation. The location's latitude and longitude (53.8534, -1.9191) contribute to significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.09 kWh per day output for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 4.27 kWh per day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.08 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 0.96 kWh per day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy production in Keighley's climate.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed panels should be installed at a 46-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Keighley:

• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar efficiency.
• Rainfall: Keighley's climate includes significant precipitation, which can affect panel performance.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Install a robust cleaning system to combat rain and debris accumulation
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

While Keighley's location isn't ideal for year-round solar production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still yield satisfactory results, particularly during the more favorable 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 Keighley

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.8534, Longitude: -1.9191 (Keighley, 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 46° South in Keighley, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Keighley, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.8534, -1.9191) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 46° 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 Keighley, 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 Keighley, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 46° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
37° South in Summer	57° South in Autumn	67° South in Winter	46° 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 Keighley, 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 Keighley, 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 Keighley, United Kingdom

Keighley, located in West Yorkshire, England, is situated in a region characterized by diverse and picturesque topography. The town itself lies in a valley at the confluence of the River Aire and the River Worth, surrounded by rolling hills and moorlands. This unique landscape is a result of the area's position on the eastern edge of the Pennine Hills, a range of uplands that runs through northern England. To the west and northwest of Keighley, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and rugged, with steep slopes and dramatic changes in elevation. This area is dominated by the famous Brontë Country, known for its wild and windswept moors that inspired the Brontë sisters' literary works. The landscape here is characterized by expansive heather-covered moorlands, interspersed with rocky outcrops and deep valleys. To the east and southeast of Keighley, the terrain gradually becomes less steep and more gently undulating. This area transitions into the lower-lying Vale of York, featuring a mix of agricultural land, small woodlands, and scattered settlements. The River Aire continues its journey eastward through this gentler landscape, creating a natural corridor through the countryside.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Keighley that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would typically be relatively flat, open areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading from hills or trees. The most promising areas for solar PV development would likely be found to the east and southeast of Keighley. These lower-lying regions offer more expansive, open spaces with gentler slopes, which are generally more suitable for large solar installations. The agricultural lands in this direction could potentially accommodate solar farms without significantly impacting the more sensitive upland landscapes to the west. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, agricultural land use, and local planning regulations. The scenic nature of the landscape around Keighley, including its proximity to the Yorkshire Dales National Park, means that visual impact assessments would be crucial in determining suitable locations for solar installations. While the moorlands to the west offer expansive open areas, their higher elevations, steeper slopes, and ecological importance make them less suitable for large-scale solar developments. Additionally, these areas often experience more cloud cover and harsher weather conditions, which could reduce the efficiency of solar panels. In conclusion, the diverse topography around Keighley presents both challenges and opportunities for solar PV development. The most promising areas are likely to be found in the more gently undulating landscapes to the east and southeast, where larger, flatter areas might accommodate solar installations while minimizing impact on the region's scenic beauty and ecological value.

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.