Llandudno, a seaside resort town in North Wales, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone at latitude 53.3262 and longitude -3.8278, this coastal town experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Llandudno varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.31 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.39 kWh/day. However, the output drops significantly in autumn to 1.94 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 0.90 kWh/day during the winter months.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The ideal period for solar energy production in Llandudno spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to higher energy yields. The peak performance typically occurs around the summer solstice in June, when days are longest and the sun's path is highest in the sky.

Panel Installation Considerations

For those installing fixed solar panels in Llandudno, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 45 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to balance the varying solar elevations throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Llandudno:

• Coastal Weather: Being a seaside town, Llandudno is prone to frequent cloud cover and occasional sea mist, which can reduce solar efficiency.
• Rainfall: The area experiences significant rainfall, particularly in autumn and winter, which can further diminish solar output.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

1. Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions.
2. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove salt deposits and other debris that may accumulate due to the coastal location.
3. Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds.
4. Install a weather monitoring system to track local conditions and optimize panel performance.

While Llandudno's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, with proper planning and equipment selection, it can still be a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more productive summer and spring 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 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 Llandudno

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.3262, Longitude: -3.8278 (Llandudno, 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 Llandudno, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Llandudno, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.3262, -3.8278) 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 Llandudno, 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 Llandudno, 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
37° 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 Llandudno, 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 Llandudno, 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 Llandudno, United Kingdom

Llandudno, a seaside resort town in North Wales, is situated on a unique piece of land that juts out into the Irish Sea. The town's topography is characterized by a mix of flat coastal areas and dramatic hills, creating a diverse landscape that has made it a popular tourist destination. The most prominent topographical features of Llandudno are the Great Orme and the Little Orme, two limestone headlands that flank the town. The Great Orme, to the west, rises to a height of 207 meters (679 feet) above sea level and offers panoramic views of the surrounding area. Its slopes are steep and rocky, with some areas of grassland and woodland. The Little Orme, to the east, is smaller but similarly rugged, reaching a height of 141 meters (463 feet). Between these two headlands lies the main town of Llandudno, built on a flat sand and shingle isthmus that connects the mainland to the Great Orme. This low-lying area is where most of the town's development has occurred, including its famous Victorian promenade along the North Shore beach. Inland from Llandudno, the landscape becomes more varied. To the south, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of Snowdonia National Park. This area is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and small woodlands, creating a picturesque backdrop to the town.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account, including available space, sunlight exposure, and minimal environmental impact. The flat coastal areas around Llandudno, while potentially suitable in terms of topography, are largely developed or used for tourism and recreation, making them less ideal for large-scale solar projects. However, the gently sloping agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Llandudno could be more appropriate. The area between Llandudno and the nearby towns of Colwyn Bay and Abergele contains expanses of farmland that receive good sunlight exposure. These areas, being relatively flat or gently sloping, could potentially accommodate large solar arrays without significant engineering challenges. Another possibility might be the reclaimed land around the former Llandudno Junction airfield, located a few miles south of the town. This area is relatively flat and open, with fewer obstructions to sunlight. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to be carefully planned to minimize impact on the local environment and consider factors such as grid connection and visual impact on the landscape. The proximity to Snowdonia National Park also means that planners would need to be sensitive to preserving the natural beauty of the region.

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.