Oxted, a town in Surrey, England, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.08 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.34 kWh/day. These seasons offer excellent opportunities for solar energy production, with long daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically in autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.22 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 0.99 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar generation in Oxted's climate.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be installed at a 43-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt helps capture the most sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Oxted:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output, especially in autumn and winter.
2. Rain: Frequent rainfall, while helping to keep panels clean, can also reduce sunlight exposure.
3. Short winter days: The limited daylight hours during winter months severely restrict solar generation potential.

To mitigate these challenges, consider installing high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Additionally, implementing a solar tracking system, although more expensive, can increase energy production by following the sun's path throughout the day.

In conclusion, while Oxted's location is far from ideal for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and modern technology can still make solar PV a viable option, particularly during the 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 761 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 Oxted

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2509, Longitude: 0.0091 (Oxted, 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 Oxted, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oxted, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.2509, 0.0091) 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 Oxted, 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 Oxted, 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
35° South in Summer	54° South in Autumn	64° 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 Oxted, 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 Oxted, 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 Oxted, United Kingdom

Oxted, located in Surrey, England, sits in a picturesque area characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and valleys. The town itself is nestled at the foot of the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that runs from Farnham in Surrey to the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent. This ridge forms a prominent feature in the landscape, rising to the north of Oxted and providing a striking backdrop to the town. To the south of Oxted, the terrain becomes more undulating, with a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and small villages dotting the countryside. This area is part of the Weald, a region of alternating sand and clay ridges that extends across parts of Surrey, Sussex, and Kent. The River Eden, a tributary of the River Medway, flows through the area, carving a shallow valley in the landscape.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Oxted for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping terrain to the south of the town offers some promising locations. These areas generally receive good sunlight exposure and have fewer obstructions that might cast shadows on solar panels. The agricultural land in this region could potentially accommodate solar farms without significant disruption to the landscape. However, it's important to note that much of the surrounding area is designated as Green Belt land or falls within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). These designations may limit the potential for large-scale solar developments due to planning restrictions aimed at preserving the natural beauty and character of the landscape. Areas to the east and southeast of Oxted, towards the Kent border, might offer more suitable locations for solar PV installations. These areas are generally flatter and have fewer protected designations, potentially making it easier to obtain planning permission for large-scale solar projects. It's worth noting that any solar PV development would need to carefully consider its impact on the local environment, wildlife, and visual amenity. Consultation with local authorities and environmental agencies would be essential to identify the most appropriate sites that balance the need for renewable energy with the preservation of the area's natural beauty and ecological value.

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.