Solar Energy Potential in Loughton, England, UK

Loughton, England, located in the United Kingdom at latitude 51.6486 and longitude 0.0495, offers moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's position in the Northern Temperate Zone influences its solar energy production capabilities, with notable seasonal variations. Summer presents the most favorable conditions for solar energy generation in Loughton, England, with an average daily output of 5.08 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 4.34 kWh per day. These seasons offer the best opportunity for maximizing solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn sees a significant decrease in solar energy potential, with daily output dropping to 2.22 kWh per kW. Winter experiences the lowest production, averaging only 0.99 kWh per day. This substantial seasonal variation highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in Loughton throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Loughton, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 44 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the lower winter sun angles with the higher summer sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Loughton: 1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Rainfall: Loughton experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily decrease panel output. 3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar energy generation. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris that may accumulate due to rainfall
• Consider incorporating energy storage solutions to balance out seasonal variations in production
• Explore the possibility of adjustable tilt systems to optimize panel angles seasonally

By addressing these factors and implementing appropriate measures, solar energy systems in Loughton can achieve improved performance and reliability, despite the location's climatic challenges.

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 Loughton

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.6486, Longitude: 0.0495 (Loughton, 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 Loughton, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Loughton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.6486, 0.0495) 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 Loughton, 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 Loughton, 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	44° 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 Loughton, 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 Loughton, 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 Loughton, United Kingdom

Loughton, located in Essex, United Kingdom, sits on the edge of Epping Forest, a large area of ancient woodland. The topography of the area is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys, typical of the London Basin landscape. The town itself is situated on a ridge, with the land sloping down towards the east and west. To the west of Loughton, the terrain descends towards the Roding Valley, where the River Roding flows southward. This area features a mix of open fields and small patches of woodland. The eastern side of Loughton borders Epping Forest, which consists of dense woodland and some open areas of grassland and heath. The surrounding countryside is predominantly rural, with a patchwork of agricultural fields, small woods, and scattered settlements. The land gradually rises towards the north, reaching higher elevations in the direction of Epping and Theydon Bois.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. Ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good exposure to sunlight, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The agricultural areas to the west and southwest of Loughton, between the town and the M11 motorway, could potentially be suitable for solar PV development. These areas feature open fields with fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. Another promising area might be found to the north of Loughton, in the direction of North Weald Bassett. This region has more expansive open spaces and farmland that could accommodate large-scale solar installations. However, it's important to note that much of the land surrounding Loughton is part of the Metropolitan Green Belt, which places restrictions on development. Any large-scale solar projects would need to carefully consider these planning constraints and potential impacts on the local environment and landscape character. Additionally, areas within Epping Forest itself would not be suitable for solar PV development due to its protected status as an important natural habitat and recreational space. The focus for potential solar installations would need to be on less environmentally sensitive areas that still offer good conditions for solar energy generation.

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.