Llanelli, a town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall effectiveness of solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Llanelli varies considerably throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.79 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.97 kWh/day. However, the output drops significantly during autumn (2.15 kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (1.00 kWh/day).

These figures indicate that Llanelli experiences a substantial difference between its peak and low production periods. The location is most suitable for solar energy generation from late spring through early autumn, with summer being the optimal time for maximum output.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Llanelli, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to provide the best overall performance across all seasons, taking into account the town's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Llanelli's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The area is known for its relatively high rainfall and frequent cloud cover, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, the coastal location may expose solar installations to salt spray, potentially leading to corrosion over time.

To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to perform well in overcast conditions
• Install a robust cleaning system to remove salt deposits and other debris regularly
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance

While Llanelli may not be an ideal location for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this Welsh town.

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 761 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 Llanelli

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.7337, Longitude: -4.1071 (Llanelli, 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 43° South in Llanelli, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Llanelli, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.7337, -4.1071) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Llanelli, 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 Llanelli, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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 Llanelli, 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 Llanelli, 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 Llanelli, United Kingdom

The topography around Llanelli, a town in Carmarthenshire, Wales, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal lowlands to rolling hills as you move inland. Situated on the northern shore of the Loughor estuary, Llanelli is nestled in a relatively flat coastal plain that gradually rises towards the north and east. The immediate surroundings of Llanelli feature a mix of urban development and open spaces, with the town center occupying the flatter areas closest to the coast. As you move away from the town, the terrain becomes more varied, with gentle slopes and undulating hills becoming more prominent. The nearby Loughor estuary and Burry Inlet provide expansive wetlands and mudflats, which are important habitats for wildlife.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Llanelli that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would typically be relatively flat, open spaces with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from hills or trees. The coastal plain to the south and southeast of Llanelli offers potential for solar PV development. These areas benefit from the flatter terrain and generally good sun exposure. However, it's important to consider the environmental sensitivity of the coastal wetlands and ensure that any development does not negatively impact these ecosystems. Moving slightly inland, the gently rolling agricultural lands to the north and northeast of Llanelli could also be suitable for solar farms. These areas often have larger, open fields that could accommodate substantial solar arrays. The slight slopes in these regions, if facing south, could actually be advantageous for solar panel placement, potentially increasing their efficiency. It's worth noting that while the hilly areas further inland might seem attractive due to their elevation, the more complex topography can create challenges for large-scale solar installations. Steeper slopes and increased variability in the landscape can lead to shading issues and complicate the construction and maintenance of solar farms. Any large-scale solar PV development would need to carefully balance the energy generation potential with other land-use considerations, including agriculture, wildlife habitats, and scenic value. Local planning regulations and grid connection capabilities would also play a crucial role in determining the most suitable locations for such projects in the Llanelli area.

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.