Solar PV Analysis of March, United Kingdom
The location of March, United Kingdom is not the most ideal for generating energy via solar PV year-round. However, it's not the worst either. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar changes with the seasons: it's highest in summer at 5.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, lower in spring and autumn at 4.29 kWh/day and 2.24 kWh/day respectively, and lowest in winter at just 1.08 kWh/day.
This means that if you're relying on solar power here, summer will be your best friend - that's when you'll generate most electricity from your panels due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure. Spring also offers relatively good output while autumn sees a significant drop-off but still decent production levels compared to many other locations globally. Winter would be challenging as there are fewer daylight hours resulting in less energy generation.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them towards south at an angle of 45 degrees is recommended to maximize total year-round production from solar PV system as this captures maximum sunlight throughout different times of the day across all seasons.
As for environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production; yes there are few things to consider:
1) Cloudy Weather: England tends to have a lot of cloudy days which can reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventative Measure: You might want to consider installing more efficient types of solar panels which perform better under diffused light conditions like monocrystalline or thin-film technology.
2) Snowfall: In winter months snow may cover your panels reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Regularly cleaning off any snow accumulation ensures they continue operating efficiently.
3) Dust & Debris: Over time dust particles and debris can accumulate on panel surfaces affecting performance.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning of panels can help maintain their efficiency.
In conclusion, while the location is not ideal for consistent year-round solar energy production due to seasonal variations in sunlight and certain weather conditions, with proper installation and maintenance it's still possible to generate a significant amount of electricity from solar PV systems.
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 March
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.4974, Longitude: -0.0249 (March, 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 March, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in March, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.4974, -0.0249) 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 March, 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 March, 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 | 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 March, 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 March, 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 March, United Kingdom
March, United Kingdom is located in the Fenland district of Cambridgeshire. The topography around this area is generally flat and low-lying, which is characteristic of fenlands. This region was historically marshy but has been drained for agricultural use.
For large-scale solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping lands are ideal as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation. Therefore, the flat terrain around March would be suitable for such a purpose.
However, other factors also need to be considered when choosing a site for large-scale solar PV. These include local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), proximity to power grids for easy transmission of electricity generated, land use regulations and environmental considerations.
Given these factors, unused agricultural lands or brownfield sites in the area could potentially be good candidates for large-scale solar PV installations. It's important though that any development respects local planning policies and environmental constraints such as biodiversity protection or flood risk management given its location in fenland.
As with all renewable energy projects, it would require thorough feasibility studies involving various stakeholders including landowners, local communities and authorities before proceeding.
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: Sunday 16th of June 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.
