Petworth, England, a town in West Sussex, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar panels in Petworth can expect to produce varying amounts of electricity throughout the year. Summer is the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.79 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.12 kWh per day. However, autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.59 kWh per day, while winter production plummets to a mere 1.09 kWh per day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The best time for solar energy production in Petworth is from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, the significant drop in output during autumn and winter highlights the challenges of year-round solar reliance in this location.

Panel Tilt Angle

For fixed solar panel installations in Petworth, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 43 degrees facing south. This angle helps optimize solar capture across seasons, balancing summer and winter sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Petworth:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Rain and fog: Frequent precipitation and foggy conditions, especially in autumn and winter, can further diminish solar efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar panels in Petworth:

1. Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
2. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, which can accumulate in wet conditions.
3. Consider a hybrid system combining solar with other renewable sources to ensure consistent energy supply year-round.

While Petworth's location isn't ideal for year-round solar production, proper system design and maintenance can still make solar energy a viable option, particularly during the more productive 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 Petworth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9924, Longitude: -0.6261 (Petworth, 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 Petworth, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Petworth, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.9924, -0.6261) 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 Petworth, 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 Petworth, 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 Petworth, 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 Petworth, 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 Petworth, United Kingdom

Petworth, located in West Sussex, England, is situated in a picturesque area characterized by gently rolling hills and verdant countryside. The town itself sits on a slight elevation, with the surrounding landscape gradually descending towards the south and east. The topography of the area is typical of the South Downs region, featuring a mix of open farmland, wooded areas, and undulating terrain. To the north and west of Petworth, the land becomes more pronounced in its elevation, with steeper hills and deeper valleys. This area is part of the South Downs National Park, known for its chalk ridges and scenic beauty. The River Rother flows to the south of Petworth, carving a shallow valley through the landscape and adding to the area's diverse topographical features.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Based on the topography around Petworth, the most suitable areas for solar farms would likely be found to the south and east of the town. The flatter agricultural lands stretching towards the coast provide ample space and favorable conditions for solar panel arrays. These areas benefit from fewer obstructions to sunlight and generally have a more consistent terrain, which simplifies installation and maintenance of solar infrastructure. However, it's important to note that the region's natural beauty and protected status as part of the South Downs National Park may pose challenges for large-scale solar developments. Any proposed installations would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental and aesthetic considerations to preserve the character of the landscape. Areas to the north and west, while potentially suitable in terms of exposure to sunlight, may be less ideal due to the more varied terrain and increased likelihood of shading from hills and woodlands. Additionally, these areas often have greater ecological and recreational value, which could conflict with large-scale solar developments. In conclusion, while the topography around Petworth offers some potential for solar PV installations, particularly in the flatter areas to the south and east, any such projects would need to be carefully planned and implemented to respect the natural beauty and protected status of the surrounding landscape.

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.