Redbridge, England, United Kingdom, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a moderate opportunity for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar PV production varies significantly across seasons, with peak performance during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.41 kWh/day. Autumn sees a considerable drop to 2.29 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 1.03 kWh/day.

This seasonal variation highlights the importance of maximizing solar collection during the longer, sunnier days of spring and summer. These seasons offer the best opportunity for energy generation and can help offset the reduced output during autumn and winter.

Optimal Panel Installation

To achieve the highest year-round energy production, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 44-degree angle facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Redbridge's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can reduce solar efficiency. Installing high-quality panels designed to perform well in diffuse light conditions can help mitigate this issue.
2. Short winter days: With significantly reduced daylight hours in winter, energy storage solutions or grid-tied systems may be necessary to ensure consistent power supply year-round.

To maximize solar production in Redbridge, England, consider using solar tracking systems, which can increase energy capture by following the sun's path. Additionally, regular panel cleaning and maintenance can help counteract the effects of air pollution and bird droppings, which may be more prevalent in urban areas.

In conclusion, while Redbridge's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, the strong performance during spring and summer makes it a viable option for renewable energy generation. With proper installation techniques and consideration of local environmental factors, solar PV can be an effective source of clean energy in 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 Redbridge

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5646, Longitude: 0.0898 (Redbridge, 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 Redbridge, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Redbridge, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5646, 0.0898) 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 Redbridge, 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 Redbridge, 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	55° South in Autumn	65° South in Winter	44° 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 Redbridge, 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 Redbridge, 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 Redbridge, United Kingdom

The area around Redbridge, located in East London, United Kingdom, is characterized by a relatively flat and gently undulating landscape. This region, part of the Thames Basin, has been shaped over millennia by the River Thames and its tributaries. The topography is typical of a lowland area, with subtle variations in elevation that are barely noticeable to the casual observer. Redbridge itself sits on slightly higher ground compared to its immediate surroundings, with elevations ranging from about 10 to 40 meters above sea level. The land gradually slopes down towards the south and east, where it meets the River Roding, a tributary of the Thames. This gentle descent creates a subtle rolling effect in the landscape, with small hills and shallow valleys interspersed throughout the area. To the north and west of Redbridge, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with some modest hills and ridges. These features, while not dramatic, provide some topographical interest to the otherwise predominantly flat landscape. The highest points in the vicinity can be found in Epping Forest, which lies to the northeast of Redbridge.

Potential Areas 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 location would have ample open space, minimal shading from trees or buildings, and a southerly aspect to maximize sun exposure. Given these criteria, the areas to the east and southeast of Redbridge show promise for solar PV development. The relatively flat terrain in this direction, coupled with fewer built-up areas, could provide suitable sites for large solar arrays. Specifically, the agricultural lands between Redbridge and Dagenham might offer potential locations, as they tend to be more open and less densely populated. Another area of interest could be the former landfill sites and brownfield areas to the south of Redbridge, near the River Thames. These locations often have limited alternative uses and could be repurposed for solar energy production. The slightly elevated areas to the north, while more undulating, might also offer good solar potential if they have a southerly aspect and are not heavily forested. It's important to note that while the topography around Redbridge is generally favorable for solar PV, other factors such as land ownership, grid connectivity, and local planning regulations would also need to be considered when identifying specific sites for large-scale solar installations. Additionally, the proximity to London means that available open space is at a premium, which could limit the scale of potential solar developments in the immediate vicinity.

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.