Penistone, England, a town in South Yorkshire, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Penistone, England, with an average daily output of 5.03 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.20 kWh/day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn sees a considerable drop in solar performance, producing 2.02 kWh/day. Winter is the least productive season, with a mere 0.92 kWh/day output. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy generation in Penistone's climate.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Penistone, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 45 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Penistone: 1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Rainfall: Penistone experiences substantial rainfall throughout the year, which can affect solar panel performance. 3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar energy generation. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, especially after rainy periods.
• Consider a hybrid system that combines solar with other renewable energy sources to ensure consistent power supply year-round.

While Penistone's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, 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 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 Penistone

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.5161, Longitude: -1.6173 (Penistone, 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 45° South in Penistone, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Penistone, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.5161, -1.6173) 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.

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

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
37° South in Summer	56° South in Autumn	67° South in Winter	45° 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 Penistone, 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 Penistone, 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 Penistone, United Kingdom

Penistone, located in South Yorkshire, England, sits within a varied and picturesque landscape. The town is situated on the eastern edge of the Pennine hills, which gives the surrounding area a distinct topographical character. The terrain around Penistone is generally hilly and undulating, with a mix of gentle slopes and steeper inclines. To the west of Penistone, the land rises more dramatically as it transitions into the Pennine uplands. This area is characterized by rugged moorland, with exposed hilltops and deep valleys. The higher elevations offer sweeping views across the surrounding countryside, but also experience harsher weather conditions. East of Penistone, the landscape becomes gentler, gradually descending towards the lowlands of South Yorkshire. This area features a patchwork of fields, pastures, and small woodlands, interspersed with scattered farms and rural settlements. The terrain here is more suitable for agriculture, with smoother contours and fewer steep gradients. Several rivers and streams cut through the landscape around Penistone, including the River Don and its tributaries. These waterways have shaped the local topography over time, carving out valleys and creating natural corridors through the hills.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Penistone for large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable locations would likely be found to the east and southeast of the town. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production: Firstly, the gentler slopes and more open terrain in this direction provide better opportunities for positioning solar panels. The land here is less steep and rugged compared to the western uplands, making it easier to install and maintain large arrays of photovoltaic panels. Secondly, the lower elevations to the east generally experience less extreme weather conditions than the Pennine hills. This can be beneficial for solar installations, as it reduces the risk of damage from strong winds and heavy snowfall. Additionally, the agricultural nature of the land to the east may present opportunities for dual-use solar farms, where panels can be installed above grazing land or certain crops. This approach can help balance renewable energy production with existing land use. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including factors such as local planning regulations, grid connection possibilities, and environmental impact studies. The rolling nature of the landscape means that careful positioning would be necessary to maximize solar exposure while minimizing visual impact on the scenic countryside.

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.