Solar PV Analysis of Loughborough, United Kingdom
The location at Loughborough, England, United Kingdom is decent but not perfect for generating energy through solar panels all year round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies by season. In the summer, you can expect to generate around 5.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day from each kW of installed solar. This decreases to about 2.24 kWh per day in autumn and drops even further to roughly 1.08 kWh per day in winter before rising again to approximately 4.29 kWh per day in spring.
This means that the ideal times of the year for generating solar power at this location are during the sunnier seasons like summer and spring when there's more sunlight available for longer periods throughout each day.
If you're installing a fixed panel system at this location, it's suggested that you tilt your panels towards an angle of 45 degrees facing southwards so as to maximize total production throughout the year.
However, there could be some factors specific to this location which might affect how much electricity you can generate with your solar panels.
One such factor is weather conditions - Loughborough experiences regular rainfall throughout the year which could obstruct sunlight and reduce output from your panels on those days when it's overcast or raining heavily. Snowfall during winter months could also cover up your panels thereby blocking them completely from any sunlight exposure thus reducing their productivity significantly during these months.
To counteract these potential obstacles, one solution would be installing a tracking system that moves your panels so they always face towards the sun as it changes position in the sky - this way they'll get maximum exposure even on less sunny days or seasons; although such systems are typically more expensive than fixed ones.
Also consider investing in high-quality durable materials for installation that would withstand harsh weather conditions without getting damaged easily - especially if snowfall is common during winters here; and ensure regular maintenance to keep the panels clean and free from any obstructions like fallen leaves or bird droppings that could impede their efficiency.
In conclusion, while Loughborough may not be the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its weather conditions, with careful planning and appropriate measures one can still generate a decent amount of electricity using solar panels here.
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 911 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 Loughborough
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.7681, Longitude: -1.2026 (Loughborough, 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 Loughborough, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Loughborough, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.7681, -1.2026) 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 Loughborough, 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 Loughborough, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° 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 Loughborough, 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 Loughborough, 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 Loughborough, United Kingdom
Loughborough is located in the East Midlands region of England. The topography around Loughborough is generally flat to gently rolling, with some hilly areas particularly towards Charnwood Forest to the north-west.
The area has a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with towns and villages interspersed with farmland, woodlands and open countryside. The River Soar flows through the eastern part of Loughborough.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, they require significant amounts of land that are relatively flat and have high exposure to sunlight. Therefore, rural or semi-rural areas around Loughborough that are not shaded by hills or forests would be most suitable.
Areas such as Shepshed to the west or Hathern to the north could potentially be suitable given their relative flatness and openness. However, any development would need to take into account local planning regulations, potential impact on wildlife habitats and other environmental considerations.
In addition, while UK isn't known for its abundant sunshine compared to countries closer to the equator or those with desert climates (like Spain or Arizona), it still receives enough sunlight for solar power generation. According to Solar Energy UK's report from 2020-2021 period indicates that there has been a steady growth in utility-scale solar capacity across United Kingdom including Midlands region where Loughborough is located.
It should also be noted that rooftops on commercial buildings within urban areas can also provide viable locations for smaller scale photovoltaic systems without requiring additional land use.
Ultimately a detailed feasibility study involving site surveys and solar irradiation assessments would be needed before deciding on specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Thursday 4th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
