Solar PV Analysis of Portree, United Kingdom
The location at Portree, Scotland, United Kingdom is somewhat suitable for year-round solar energy generation, but it's not the most ideal. This is due to the varying amount of sunlight received throughout different seasons.
In summer and spring, you can expect a good amount of electricity output from solar panels - 4.57 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.01 kWh/day in spring per each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. These are the best times to generate solar energy because there's more daylight and usually clearer skies.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly due to shorter days and less sunlight - down to 1.32 kWh/day in autumn and just 0.63 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
If you're installing a fixed panel system here, it should ideally be tilted at an angle of 48 degrees facing south for maximum year-round production from your photovoltaic (PV) system.
There are some local factors that could affect your PV system's performance though. In Portree like many other parts of UK experiences frequent cloudy weather which reduces the amount of sunlight reaching your panels; rain could also dirty them reducing their efficiency over time as well as potential snow cover during winter months blocking out any sunlight completely.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance can keep your panels free from dirt or debris that might block sunlight.
- Installing systems that allow tracking sun’s movement across sky can help maximize exposure.
- Consider using microinverters or power optimizers which can improve efficiency when part of a panel is shaded or dirty.
- For snow coverage issue during winters consider installation methods that allow easy removal without damaging the unit or possibly even heating elements to melt off any accumulation.
Remember though while these steps may improve overall production they will also increase initial investment cost so always take this into account when planning your solar project.
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 Portree
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 57.5153, Longitude: -6.3185 (Portree, 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 48° South in Portree, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Portree, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 57.5153, -6.3185) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 48° 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 Portree, 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 Portree, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 48° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41° South in Summer | 60° South in Autumn | 70° South in Winter | 49° 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 Portree, 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 Portree, 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 Portree, United Kingdom
Portree, located in the Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom is characterized by a rugged and mountainous terrain with coastal cliffs. It's surrounded by highlands and sea. The area experiences a significant amount of cloud cover and rainfall throughout the year due to its maritime climate.
Given this topography and climate, large scale solar PV installations may not be as efficient or effective in Portree compared to other regions with more consistent sunlight exposure. However, if considering such an installation nearby areas that are relatively flat and receive better sunlight could be considered.
Please note that while Scotland does have some sunny days, it's not known for high levels of sunshine which is critical for maximum efficiency of solar power systems. A detailed site-specific assessment would be required to determine the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations.
Furthermore, any plan for largescale solar PV should also consider local planning regulations (which can vary across different parts of UK), proximity to grid connection points (as remote locations can add significantly to project costs) as well as potential environmental or landscape impacts.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 25th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
