Solar Energy Potential in New Quay, Wales, United Kingdom

New Quay, Wales, located in the United Kingdom at latitude 52.2116 and longitude -4.3542, presents varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production. The seasonal solar energy output shows a clear pattern. During summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.71kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.82kWh/day. However, production drops considerably in autumn to 2.06kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter with only 0.93kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in New Quay, Wales, the ideal tilt angle is 43 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes the total year-round energy production by optimizing the panels' exposure to the sun's varying position throughout the seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant factors could impede solar production in New Quay:

• Coastal fog and sea mist are common in this maritime location, potentially reducing solar irradiance during otherwise sunny days
• Higher than average rainfall in the Welsh coastal region can decrease production
• Salt spray from the nearby sea can accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency over time
• Winter months show extremely low production, creating a significant seasonal imbalance

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in New Quay despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Regular cleaning schedule to remove salt deposits and other debris
• Installing panels with anti-reflective coatings specifically designed for maritime environments
• Using micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Considering a slight adjustment from the ideal 43-degree angle if the installation site has specific morning fog patterns
• Implementing a robust mounting system that can withstand coastal winds

The significant seasonal variation suggests that solar PV in New Quay would benefit from being part of a hybrid energy system or having adequate storage solutions to balance the substantial difference between summer and winter production.

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 New Quay

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.2116, Longitude: -4.3542 (New Quay, 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 43° South in New Quay, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in New Quay, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.2116, -4.3542) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 New Quay, 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 New Quay, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	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 New Quay, 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 New Quay, 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 New Quay, United Kingdom

The topography around New Quay, located in Ceredigion, Wales, United Kingdom, presents a varied coastal landscape characterized by dramatic features that have been shaped over millennia by geological processes and the persistent action of the sea. New Quay itself is nestled in a natural harbor along Cardigan Bay, with the settlement built upon and around steep hillsides that slope down toward the Irish Sea. The town is situated on a headland, with buildings arranged in a somewhat terraced fashion following the contours of the land as it descends to the harbor and beaches below.

Coastal Features

The coastline around New Quay features impressive cliffs that range from 50 to 100 meters in height in some areas. These cliffs are primarily composed of sedimentary rocks, including sandstones and mudstones from the Silurian period. The cliff faces exhibit visible stratification, telling the geological story of the region's formation. Between these cliff sections lie several coves and small bays with sandy or pebbly beaches. The sea has carved these inlets through erosion of softer rock formations, creating the distinctive indented coastline characteristic of this part of Wales.

Inland Topography

Moving inland from New Quay, the landscape rises into rolling hills that form part of the western extremities of the Cambrian Mountains. These hills are generally rounded in profile, with summits reaching between 200-300 meters above sea level. The terrain becomes increasingly undulating as one moves eastward, with a patchwork of agricultural fields, hedgerows, and scattered woodland covering the slopes. Several small river valleys cut through this landscape, including the Afon Llethi which flows into New Quay bay. These valleys tend to be relatively shallow near the coast but become deeper and more pronounced further inland.

Solar PV Potential Areas

When considering areas near New Quay that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several factors must be evaluated beyond just the physical landscape, including grid connection possibilities, environmental designations, and agricultural land classification. The gently sloping south-facing hillsides located 2-5 kilometers inland from New Quay present the most promising topographical conditions for solar PV development. These areas benefit from favorable orientation toward the sun's path and are generally less steep than the immediate coastal slopes, making construction and maintenance more practical. Specifically, the agricultural plateaus between New Quay and Llanarth, as well as the more level areas around Cross Inn and Caerwedros, offer relatively flat terrain that would minimize the earthworks required for large-scale installations. These locations also tend to be at slightly higher elevations, potentially reducing issues with morning mist or fog that can sometimes affect coastal sites. The valleys running east-west might be less suitable due to potential shadowing effects in the morning and evening. Similarly, north-facing slopes would receive significantly reduced solar radiation throughout the year, making them poor candidates for solar development. It's worth noting that much of the coastline around New Quay falls within designated landscape protection areas, including sections of Heritage Coast. These protected zones would likely be unavailable or highly restricted for large-scale solar development. Additionally, the steeper coastal slopes would present engineering challenges and higher installation costs compared to the more gently contoured inland areas. The optimal balance of topographical suitability and practical development potential appears to be in the moderately elevated agricultural lands 3-6 kilometers inland, where the landscape offers adequate solar exposure without the extreme slopes or protected status of the immediate coastal zone.

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.