Solar PV Analysis of Orpington, United Kingdom
Based on the electricity output data, Orpington, England, United Kingdom is reasonably suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. However, it's not ideal all year round due to seasonal variations in sunlight.
During summer and spring, you can expect a higher amount of electricity generation - 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.41 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt of installed solar panels. These seasons are therefore the best times of year to generate solar power at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In contrast, autumn and winter have less sunlight resulting in lower energy production - 2.29 kWh/day in autumn and just 1.03 kWh/day during winter per kilowatt of installed panels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards South will maximise total yearly production from your solar PV system because it aligns them better with the sun’s path across the sky.
As for environmental or weather factors that could hinder solar production here; cloudy weather or fog common in UK winters can reduce exposure to sunlight thereby impacting energy generation efficiency significantly during these months. To help ensure greater energy production despite these conditions; consider installing high-efficiency modules designed for low-light conditions which perform better under cloudy skies than regular ones do.
Furthermore, keeping your panels clean is crucial as dust or debris can block light from reaching them reducing their effectiveness so regular maintenance should be part of your plan when installing a solar system here.
Lastly remember that trees or buildings blocking direct sunlight onto your panels will negatively impact their performance too so choose your installation site carefully avoiding shadows where possible.
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 Orpington
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3577, Longitude: 0.1291 (Orpington, 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 Orpington, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Orpington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.3577, 0.1291) 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 Orpington, 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 Orpington, 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 | 55° 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 Orpington, 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 Orpington, 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 Orpington, United Kingdom
Orpington is located in the southeastern part of Greater London, England. The topography around Orpington is generally flat to slightly hilly. It's surrounded by several green spaces including parks and golf courses.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and relatively flat areas are ideal as they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. Based on this, the following nearby locations could be suitable:
1. Farmland surrounding Orpington: There are several farms in the area which could potentially host solar panels without much impact on their primary use.
2. Brownfield sites: If there are any disused industrial or commercial sites in or near Orpington, these could also be a good choice for setting up a large-scale solar farm.
3. Rooftops: Large buildings such as warehouses or public buildings with flat roofs can also be used for installing solar panels.
It should be noted that any decision to install a large-scale PV system needs to consider not just topographical suitability but also factors like local planning regulations, grid connectivity and environmental impact assessments among others.
Please consult with an expert before making any decisions regarding large scale solar projects as many factors need to be considered beyond just basic topography information.
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: Thursday 6th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
