Morecambe, England, a coastal town in Lancashire, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Morecambe, England, with an average daily output of 5.24kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.26kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn (1.83kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (0.86kWh/day).

These figures indicate that Morecambe's solar potential is heavily skewed towards the warmer months. The long summer days in this northern latitude contribute significantly to the high summer output. Spring also offers good potential, likely due to clearer skies and increasing daylight hours.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Morecambe, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 45 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to balance the varying solar elevations throughout the year, optimizing energy capture across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Morecambe:

1. Cloud cover: The region is known for frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Coastal weather: Proximity to the sea can lead to salt spray, potentially affecting panel efficiency over time.
3. Short winter days: The northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar production.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions to maximize output on cloudy days.
• Implement regular cleaning routines to remove salt deposits and other debris from panels.
• Consider incorporating energy storage solutions to balance the seasonal variations in production.
• Explore the use of bifacial panels to capture reflected light, potentially boosting winter performance.

While Morecambe's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology choices can still make solar PV a viable option, particularly during the more productive spring and summer months.

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 756 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 Morecambe

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.0677, Longitude: -2.8565 (Morecambe, 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:

Average 5.24kWh/day in Summer.

Average 1.83kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 0.86kWh/day in Winter.

Average 4.26kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 45° South in Morecambe, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Morecambe, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.0677, -2.8565) 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.

At Latitude: 54.0677, Longitude: -2.8565, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 45° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Morecambe, 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 Morecambe, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Morecambe, 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 Morecambe, 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 Morecambe, United Kingdom

The topography around Morecambe, United Kingdom, is characterized by a mix of coastal lowlands and gently rolling hills. Morecambe itself is situated on the coast of Morecambe Bay, a large estuary on the Irish Sea. The immediate area around the town is relatively flat, with sandy beaches and mudflats along the shoreline.

As you move inland from Morecambe, the landscape gradually rises into low hills and undulating terrain. To the east and northeast, the land becomes more elevated as it transitions into the western edges of the Pennines, a range of hills and mountains that runs through northern England. However, the hills near Morecambe are generally modest in height compared to the higher peaks found further east.

To the south of Morecambe, across the bay, lies the Fylde peninsula, which is predominantly flat and low-lying. To the north, the terrain becomes more varied, with a mix of agricultural land and small woodlands interspersed with gentle hills.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors need to be considered. The ideal locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Based on the topography of the region, some potentially suitable areas might include:

1. The agricultural lands to the southeast of Morecambe, between the town and the Forest of Bowland. These areas tend to be more open and less densely populated, offering larger tracts of land that could accommodate solar farms.
2. Parts of the Fylde peninsula to the south, across Morecambe Bay. The flat terrain and coastal location could provide good conditions for solar energy generation.
3. Some of the gentler slopes on the western edges of the Pennines, east of Morecambe. While care would need to be taken to avoid areas of significant natural beauty or ecological importance, some of these hillsides could offer suitable sites for solar installations.

It's important to note that the suitability of any specific site for solar PV would require detailed assessment, taking into account not just topography but also factors such as local climate, grid connectivity, land ownership, and environmental considerations. Additionally, the relatively northern latitude of Morecambe means that overall solar potential may be lower compared to more southerly regions of the UK.

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.

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