Mansfield, England, located in the Northern Temperate Zone of the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. The location's potential for solar power varies significantly throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns affecting energy output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Mansfield, England, with an impressive daily output of 5.09 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.27 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a substantial drop in production, with autumn yielding 2.08 kWh/day and winter plummeting to a mere 0.96 kWh/day.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warmer and colder months, emphasizing the importance of maximizing solar collection during the more favorable seasons. The period from late spring through early autumn emerges as the ideal time for solar energy generation in Mansfield.

Optimizing Panel Installation

To make the most of the available sunlight year-round, fixed solar panels in Mansfield should be tilted at a 45-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to balance the varying solar elevations throughout the year, ensuring the best possible energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Mansfield's location in the Northern Temperate Zone provides a good foundation for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Short winter days: The northern latitude means fewer daylight hours during winter, further limiting solar production in the colder months.

To mitigate these challenges, consider using high-efficiency panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Additionally, implementing a solar tracking system can help maximize energy capture by following the sun's path throughout the day, though this comes with increased installation and maintenance costs.

Regular panel cleaning and maintenance are crucial to ensure optimal performance, especially given the potential for dust and debris accumulation in an urban environment like Mansfield. While the location may not be ideal year-round, with proper planning and technology, solar PV can still be a viable and sustainable energy option for this UK 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 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 Mansfield

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.1369, Longitude: -1.1995 (Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mansfield, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.1369, -1.1995) 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 Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, 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 Mansfield, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Mansfield, United Kingdom, located at latitude 53.1369 and longitude -1.1995, is characterized by a diverse and gently undulating landscape. Situated in the heart of Nottinghamshire, this region features a mix of urban areas, woodlands, and rolling countryside. Mansfield itself is nestled in a shallow valley, with the terrain gradually rising to form low hills and ridges in the surrounding areas. To the west, the landscape becomes more pronounced as it transitions into the eastern fringes of the Peak District, where the topography becomes increasingly hilly and rugged. The eastern side of Mansfield, in contrast, tends to be flatter, with more open fields and agricultural land.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Mansfield, several factors come into play. The ideal areas would be relatively flat, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings, and good access to the electrical grid. The eastern and southeastern outskirts of Mansfield offer promising potential for solar PV projects. These areas feature more level terrain and open farmland, which could provide ample space for solar panel arrays. The gently sloping fields in this region could also be advantageous, as a slight tilt towards the south can optimize solar panel efficiency. Another area of interest lies to the north and northeast of Mansfield, where there are expanses of reclaimed land from former coal mining activities. These brownfield sites often have large, open areas that could be repurposed for solar energy production, providing a sustainable use for previously industrial land. It's worth noting that while the western areas near Mansfield offer some elevated positions that could potentially increase solar exposure, the more pronounced topography and increased woodland cover in this direction may present challenges for large-scale installations. Any large-scale solar PV project would, of course, require detailed site-specific assessments, considering factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact, and grid connection feasibility. However, the varied topography around Mansfield does offer several promising options for solar energy development in 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.