Prescot, a town in Merseyside, 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 for solar energy in Prescot, with an average daily output of 5.31 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.39 kWh per day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with only 1.94 kWh per day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, producing a mere 0.90 kWh daily.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warmer and colder months, emphasizing the importance of maximizing solar collection during the longer, sunnier days of late spring, summer, and early autumn.

Optimal Panel Installation

To achieve the best year-round solar production in Prescot, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Prescot:

1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Rainfall: Prescot receives considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The area's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting the amount of sunlight available for energy production.

Mitigating Measures

To address these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a solar panel cleaning system or schedule regular cleaning to combat the effects of rainfall and potential dirt accumulation.
• Implement a solar tracking system to maximize sunlight capture, especially during the shorter winter days.
• Consider combining solar PV with other renewable energy sources to ensure a more consistent year-round energy supply.

While Prescot's location presents some challenges for solar energy production, particularly during the colder months, proper installation and maintenance can still make solar PV a viable renewable energy option for this area.

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 Prescot

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.4036, Longitude: -2.7475 (Prescot, 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 Prescot, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Prescot, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.4036, -2.7475) 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 Prescot, 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 Prescot, 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	66° 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 Prescot, 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 Prescot, 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 Prescot, United Kingdom

The area around Prescot, United Kingdom, located at 53.4036 degrees North latitude and 2.7475 degrees West longitude, is characterized by gently rolling terrain typical of the Merseyside region. The landscape is predominantly low-lying, with subtle undulations and occasional small hills. The topography is a result of glacial activity during the last ice age, which shaped the land into its current form. Prescot itself sits on slightly elevated ground compared to its immediate surroundings, with the land generally sloping downwards towards the River Mersey to the south. The area is part of the Lancashire Plain, a broad expanse of relatively flat land that extends across much of northwestern England. This plain is punctuated by occasional ridges and valleys, but overall maintains a fairly consistent elevation.

Surrounding Landscape

To the north and east of Prescot, the land gradually rises towards the Pennine foothills, though these more significant elevations are some distance away. The immediate vicinity remains largely flat or gently undulating. To the west, the terrain continues its subtle variations as it stretches towards the coast of the Irish Sea. The area's topography has been further shaped by human activity over centuries, with urban development, agriculture, and former industrial sites all leaving their mark on the landscape. Despite this, pockets of natural and semi-natural habitats persist, including small woodlands, hedgerows, and scattered ponds.

Potential for Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The relatively flat terrain of the Lancashire Plain offers advantages for solar development, as it reduces the complexity and cost of site preparation. Areas to the south and southwest of Prescot might be particularly suitable for solar PV, as they tend to have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. These areas also benefit from slightly higher levels of solar irradiance compared to locations further north. Former industrial sites or brownfield land in the wider region could be prime candidates for solar development. These areas often have the advantage of existing infrastructure, such as access roads and grid connections, which can reduce overall project costs. Agricultural land in the surrounding countryside might also be considered for solar installations, though this would need to be balanced against the need to preserve productive farmland. Solar farms can sometimes be integrated with continued agricultural use, such as grazing sheep between and under panels. It's important to note that while the topography around Prescot is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as local planning regulations, grid capacity, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar developments.

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.