Solar PV Analysis of Lanark, United Kingdom
The location at Lanark, Scotland, United Kingdom is decent for generating energy through solar panels, but not as ideal as places closer to the equator. It's better during certain times of the year. In simple terms, a solar panel setup in this location can produce more electricity in the Summer and Spring (5.14kWh/day and 4.13kWh/day respectively) compared to Autumn and Winter (1.78kWh/day and 0.81kWh/day). This means that it's most effective to use solar power here during warmer months.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round in Lanark, Scotland, you should tilt them at an angle of 47 degrees facing South. This is because it will catch more sunlight throughout the day over different seasons.
However, there are some things that may hinder how much energy you can generate from your solar panels in Lanark due to its geographical location and local weather conditions.
Lanark often experiences cloudy skies which could reduce how much sun reaches your panels - less sun means less energy produced! Also remember that days are shorter during winter months which means fewer hours of sunlight for power generation.
In order to combat these issues when installing your solar system:
- You might want to consider using advanced PV modules with better performance under low light conditions.
- Additionally, cleaning your panels regularly ensures they absorb as much sunlight as possible; buildup of dirt or snow can block light.
- If possible, placing panels where they won't be shaded by trees or buildings would also help maximise their exposure to sunlight.
Remember though while these steps might help improve performance somewhat, they cannot completely overcome limitations imposed by climate or seasonal changes – particularly short winter days with little sunshine available for power generation!
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 756 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 Lanark
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.7669, Longitude: -3.6019 (Lanark, 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 47° South in Lanark, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lanark, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.7669, -3.6019) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 47° 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 Lanark, 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 Lanark, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 47° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39° South in Summer | 58° South in Autumn | 69° South in Winter | 48° 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 Lanark, 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 Lanark, 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 Lanark, United Kingdom
Lanark is located in the central belt of Scotland, UK. The topography around Lanark is characterized by undulating hills and valleys. It lies in the Clyde Valley and is surrounded by agricultural land with a mix of pastures, forests, and scattered small lochs (lakes). The River Clyde flows near the town.
The suitability for large-scale solar PV installations depends on several factors including sunlight hours, local regulation and planning constraints, proximity to power grids for connection etc. Given that Scotland does not receive as much sunlight as more southern locations due to its high latitude position, it may not be seen as ideal for solar energy production compared to other regions. However, this doesn't mean it's impossible or unfeasible.
For areas nearby Lanark that could be suited to large-scale solar PV installations:
1) Open farmlands: These generally have good sun exposure with minimal shading from trees or buildings. They also tend to have easier access for construction vehicles which can reduce installation costs.
2) Abandoned industrial sites: These are often known as brownfield sites which can be repurposed for renewable energy projects without impacting natural habitats or prime agricultural land.
3) Rooftops of large commercial/industrial buildings: This option would minimize impact on ground level land use while providing potential consumption point close to generation source reducing transmission losses.
However any project would need detailed site specific assessment including aspects like environmental impact assessments before proceeding.
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: Tuesday 11th of June 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.
