Kidlington, England, a village in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Kidlington fluctuates considerably across the seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.36 kWh/day. Autumn sees a substantial decrease in production, yielding 2.31 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.07 kWh/day.

The most favorable months for solar energy generation in Kidlington are typically from May to August, when daylight hours are longest and solar intensity is at its peak. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and early autumn can also provide good solar yields.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Kidlington, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Kidlington's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors that could impact efficiency:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. Using high-quality panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate this issue.
• Rain and humidity: Frequent rainfall in the region may lead to dirt accumulation on panels. Installing self-cleaning panels or implementing regular cleaning schedules can maintain optimal performance.

Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation behind the panels can help maintain efficiency, as cooler panels tend to perform better. Regular maintenance and monitoring of the system can also help identify and address any location-specific issues that may arise over time.

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 Kidlington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.8191, Longitude: -1.3153 (Kidlington, 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 Kidlington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kidlington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.8191, -1.3153) 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 Kidlington, 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 Kidlington, 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
35° South in Summer	55° South in Autumn	65° 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 Kidlington, 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 Kidlington, 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 Kidlington, United Kingdom

Kidlington, located in Oxfordshire, England, sits within a relatively flat landscape typical of the Thames Valley region. The area surrounding this large village is characterized by gently undulating terrain, with subtle variations in elevation. The land is predominantly low-lying, with an average elevation of around 60 meters above sea level. To the east of Kidlington, the terrain gradually slopes towards the River Cherwell, which meanders through the landscape. This river valley creates a slight depression in the otherwise level topography. The western side of Kidlington sees a gentle rise in elevation, with rolling hills becoming more pronounced as one moves towards the Cotswolds, though these are still some distance away. The immediate vicinity of Kidlington is primarily composed of agricultural fields, interspersed with small woodlands and hedgerows. These open spaces contribute to the area's generally flat appearance, with few significant hills or valleys disrupting the horizon.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Kidlington for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain in much of the surrounding area could be advantageous for solar farms, as it minimizes the need for extensive land preparation and allows for efficient panel arrangement. The agricultural lands to the north and west of Kidlington might be particularly suitable for solar PV development. These areas offer expansive, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings, which is crucial for maximizing solar energy capture. The gentle slopes in these directions could also provide a slight advantage in terms of panel orientation towards the sun. However, it's important to note that the suitability of any specific site would depend on various additional factors, including local planning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations. The proximity to the River Cherwell and its associated floodplains to the east might make those areas less suitable due to potential flooding risks. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully balance the energy generation potential with the preservation of the area's rural character and agricultural productivity. The flat, open nature of the landscape means that visual impact would be a significant consideration in the planning process.

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.