Pewsey, a village in Wiltshire, England, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

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 4.29 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically in autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.25 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 1.03 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar generation in Pewsey's climate.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar production, fixed panels should be tilted at a 44-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account Pewsey's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, balancing the varying solar elevations throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Pewsey's location presents some challenges for solar energy production. The UK's notoriously cloudy weather, particularly prevalent in autumn and winter, can significantly reduce solar output. Additionally, the area's rural setting may lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels, potentially decreasing efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider implementing the following measures:

• Use self-cleaning panels or schedule regular cleaning to combat dust and pollen buildup
• Install micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds

While Pewsey's location is not ideal for year-round solar production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar energy a viable option, especially 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 756 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 Pewsey

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3622, Longitude: -1.8534 (Pewsey, 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 Pewsey, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pewsey, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.3622, -1.8534) 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 Pewsey, 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 Pewsey, 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	54° 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 Pewsey, 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 Pewsey, 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 Pewsey, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Pewsey, located in Wiltshire, England, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape typical of southern England. The town itself sits in the Vale of Pewsey, a wide, shallow valley that runs between two chalk escarpments. This vale is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which speaks to its scenic qualities. To the north and south of Pewsey, the land rises into gently rolling hills covered with a patchwork of fields, pastures, and woodlands. These chalk downs are part of the larger geological formation that includes Salisbury Plain to the south. The topography is generally undulating, with some steeper slopes where the chalk escarpments meet the vale. The River Avon flows through the Vale of Pewsey, meandering across the valley floor and creating a lush, green corridor. This river valley is relatively flat, contrasting with the surrounding higher ground. Scattered throughout the area are small villages, farms, and ancient archaeological sites, including numerous barrows and the famous Avebury stone circle to the north.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Pewsey for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would typically be: The valley floor of the Vale of Pewsey offers large, flat areas that could accommodate solar arrays without significant terraforming. These locations would be easier and more cost-effective to develop than hillier terrain. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas prone to flooding from the River Avon. South-facing slopes on the chalk downs surrounding the vale could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas would benefit from increased sun exposure throughout the day, potentially improving the efficiency of the solar panels. However, the visual impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty would need to be carefully considered. Former agricultural land or brownfield sites in the wider area around Pewsey might offer opportunities for solar development without impacting prime agricultural land or areas of high scenic value. These could include disused quarries or industrial sites. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in this area would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of the landscape's natural beauty and ecological value. Environmental impact assessments and community consultations would be crucial steps in identifying the most appropriate locations for such projects.

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.