Solar PV Analysis of Marlborough, United Kingdom
The location at Marlborough, England, United Kingdom is decent for generating energy through solar PV year-round. However, it's not perfect due to the varying amount of sunlight throughout the year.
In simple terms, solar panels work best when they get a lot of sunlight. At this location, the most electricity from solar panels can be generated in Summer and Spring when there are more daylight hours and stronger sun rays. Specifically, you can expect about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer and about 4.36 kWh/day in Spring for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.
On the other hand, Autumn and Winter have fewer daylight hours and weaker sun rays which result in less electricity generation - around 2.31 kWh/day in Autumn and only about 1.07 kWh/day in Winter per kW of installed solar power.
To maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system at this location, it would be ideal to tilt your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing Southwards towards the equator where sunlight is strongest.
There might also be local factors that could affect how much energy you can generate from your panels such as weather or environmental conditions like cloud cover or shade from trees or buildings blocking direct sunlight onto your panel surface which reduces their efficiency.
Preventative measures that can help ensure greater energy production include trimming any trees or removing any obstructions that may block direct sunlight onto your panels so they receive maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day; installing them on a part of your property with least likelihood for shadowing; using high-quality anti-reflective glass on panel surfaces to capture more light; regular cleaning of panel surfaces to keep them free from dust or dirt build-up which could reduce their ability to absorb light effectively; considering adjustable mounting systems that allow changing panel angles according to seasonal variations in sun's position if feasible.
Remember though while Marlborough does have its challenges for solar energy production, it's still a viable option and can contribute significantly to your home's electricity needs while reducing your carbon footprint.
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 754 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 Marlborough
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3531, Longitude: -1.6413 (Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Marlborough, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.3531, -1.6413) 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 Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, 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 | 54° 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 Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, 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 Marlborough, United Kingdom
Marlborough is located in the county of Wiltshire, England. The topography around Marlborough is primarily comprised of low-lying plains and gently rolling hills. The region is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which includes chalk downland and wooded valleys.
When considering areas for large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as sunlight exposure, land availability and use, proximity to transmission lines, and environmental impacts need to be considered. Given these considerations:
1) Farmland: There are significant amounts of farmland around Marlborough that could potentially be suitable for solar farms if it doesn't interfere with agricultural activities or designated conservation areas.
2) Brownfield Sites: These are previously developed sites that may have been abandoned or underutilized. They can often be good locations for solar installations as they typically have fewer environmental constraints.
3) Industrial Areas: Any industrial zones in the vicinity may also provide suitable locations due to their existing infrastructure and less likelihood of conflicting land uses.
However, any potential site would require a detailed feasibility study including consultation with local planning authorities given the area's natural beauty designation.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 18th of May 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
