Roslin, Scotland, United Kingdom, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging location for year-round solar PV energy generation. The seasonal variations in electricity output from solar panels at this location are significant, with summer being the most productive period and winter the least.

Seasonal Solar Performance

During the summer months, solar panels in Roslin can generate an impressive 5.14 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. This output drops considerably in autumn to 1.78 kWh/day, plummeting further in winter to a mere 0.81 kWh/day. Spring sees a substantial improvement, with production rising to 4.13 kWh/day.

The stark contrast between summer and winter production highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in this location. The long summer days in Roslin provide excellent conditions for solar generation, making it an ideal time to maximize energy production and potentially store excess energy for less productive periods.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Roslin, Scotland, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 47 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Roslin:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Short winter days: Roslin's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting the amount of sunlight available for energy production.

To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a solar tracking system to maximize exposure to available sunlight.
• Regularly clean panels to prevent dirt and debris from reducing efficiency.
• Consider complementing solar PV with other renewable energy sources, such as wind power, to ensure a more consistent year-round energy supply.

While Roslin's location presents challenges for solar energy production, particularly during the winter months, proper installation techniques and supplementary measures can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems 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 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 Roslin

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.8567, Longitude: -3.1686 (Roslin, 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:

Average 5.14kWh/day in Summer.

Average 1.78kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 0.81kWh/day in Winter.

Average 4.13kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 47° South in Roslin, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Roslin, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.8567, -3.1686) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 47° 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.

At Latitude: 55.8567, Longitude: -3.1686, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 47° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Roslin, 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 Roslin, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 47° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Roslin, 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 Roslin, 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 Roslin, United Kingdom

The area around Roslin, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys typical of the Midlothian region in Scotland. The landscape is a mix of rural farmland, patches of woodland, and small settlements. Roslin itself is situated on a slight elevation, with the famous Roslin Chapel perched on a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

To the north and east of Roslin, the terrain gradually slopes down towards the Firth of Forth, the estuary of Scotland's River Forth. This area becomes flatter as it approaches the coast. To the south and west, the land becomes more undulating, with the Pentland Hills rising in the distance, creating a picturesque backdrop.

The River North Esk flows through a steep-sided valley just to the east of Roslin, adding to the area's scenic beauty and topographical variety. This river valley, known as Roslin Glen, is home to ancient woodland and provides a stark contrast to the more open farmland that dominates much of the surrounding area.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Given these criteria, the following areas near Roslin might be suitable:

1. The flatter agricultural lands to the north and northeast of Roslin, stretching towards Dalkeith and Musselburgh, could potentially accommodate solar installations. These areas benefit from fewer hills and obstructions that might cast shadows.
2. Some of the more open, south-facing slopes of the gentle hills to the south of Roslin might also be suitable. While not entirely flat, these areas could still provide good sun exposure if the panels are arranged to follow the contours of the land.
3. The wider, flatter areas of farmland between Roslin and Penicuik to the southwest could also be considered, as they offer expansive spaces with minimal topographical variation.

However, it's important to note that the implementation of large-scale solar projects in this area would need to carefully balance energy production goals with the preservation of the region's natural beauty, agricultural productivity, and historical significance. Any such developments would require thorough environmental impact assessments and community consultations before proceeding.

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.

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