Solar PV Analysis of Lewisham, United Kingdom
Lewisham, England, United Kingdom, can produce a decent amount of solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not ideal for year-round production due to its location in the Northern Temperate Zone and the varying amounts of sunlight during different seasons.
During summer and spring, you can expect more electricity output from your solar panels as they generate 5.13kWh/day and 4.36kWh/day respectively per kW installed. This is because these are typically sunnier times of the year with longer daylight hours.
In autumn and winter though, power output drops significantly to 2.31kWh/day and 1.07 kWh/day respectively per kW installed due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, you should install them at an angle facing 44 degrees South; this will help maximize total yearly production by capturing as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of day and seasons.
As for local factors that might affect solar energy production in Lewisham: The UK is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels; there may also be buildings or trees that cast shadows over your installation site reducing their exposure to direct sunlight.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Choose a site with minimal shading from nearby structures or vegetation.
2) Use high-quality solar panels that can perform well even under cloudy conditions.
3) Regularly clean your panels to remove dirt or debris that could block sunlight.
4) Install additional equipment like trackers (which move your panels so they're always facing towards the sun), although this may add extra cost but results in better efficiency especially during shorter winter days.
5) A regular check-up on system performance can help detect any issues early on before it affects overall power generation too much.
Remember though: While these steps can increase efficiency, they won't change seasonal variations - you'll still produce less power in autumn and winter compared to spring and summer.
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 763 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 Lewisham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4648, Longitude: -0.0373 (Lewisham, 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 Lewisham, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lewisham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4648, -0.0373) 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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham, 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 | 43° 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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham, 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 Lewisham, United Kingdom
Lewisham is located in the southeast part of London, United Kingdom. The topography of this area is generally flat to gently undulating with small hills and valleys. The River Ravensbourne runs through Lewisham towards the Thames, creating some low-lying areas.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as sunlight hours, land availability and use, local planning restrictions and grid connection need to be taken into account.
Given these considerations:
1. Brownfield sites: These are previously developed lands that are not currently in use. If there are any large brownfield sites in or near Lewisham that aren't earmarked for redevelopment, they could potentially be suitable for solar PV installation.
2. Rooftops: Large buildings such as warehouses or industrial units often have expansive flat roofs which can be ideal for installing solar panels.
3. Open spaces: Although Lewisham is a built-up urban area, it does contain parks and open spaces which could theoretically host ground-mounted solar arrays if local regulations permit it.
4. Outside urban areas: There may also be more opportunities for larger scale solar farms outside the immediate urban area where there's more open land available - but connectivity to the grid would need to be considered along with potential visual impact on the landscape.
However, each potential site would need a detailed assessment including sun-path analysis (to ensure no shading issues), structural assessment (for rooftop installations), ecological surveys (especially for greenfield/brownfield sites) etc., before proceeding with installation.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 26th of March 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.
