Solar PV Analysis of Sale, United Kingdom
The location in Sale, England, United Kingdom is not ideal for year-round energy generation through solar PV. This is because the amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies greatly throughout the year. In summer, you can expect to produce 5.31kWh per day for each kW of solar installed, which is quite good. However, in autumn this drops to 1.94kWh/day and in winter it's even lower at just 0.90kWh/day per kW installed. Spring sees a rise again with an expected output of 4.39kWh/day.
So, if you're considering installing solar panels in Sale, England, they will be most effective during spring and summer seasons when there's more sunlight available for longer periods of time.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, the best angle to tilt your panels for maximum total yearly production from solar PV is towards south at an angle of 45 degrees.
There are also some local factors that could affect the efficiency of your solar energy production:
1) Weather: The UK has a lot of cloudy days which can limit the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
2) Buildings or trees: Any tall structures or vegetation near your installation could cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
3) Pollution: Dust and air pollution can settle on the surface of your panels and reduce their ability to absorb sunlight effectively.
To overcome these issues:
- Regular cleaning will ensure any dust or dirt settled on panel surfaces doesn't impede their performance.
- If possible try to install them where they won't be overshadowed by buildings or trees especially during peak sun hours.
- And lastly as weather conditions are beyond control just bear in mind while calculating potential output that actual figures might vary due to cloud cover etc.
In conclusion while not ideal all year round due to seasonal variations mainly due weather conditions; with careful planning one can still make good use out of Solar PV in Sale, England, United Kingdom.
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 Sale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.4236, Longitude: -2.3113 (Sale, 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 Sale, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sale, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.4236, -2.3113) 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, United Kingdom
The topography around Sale, United Kingdom is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills in some areas. The land is primarily used for urban and suburban development, agriculture, and some patches of woodland. The area has a moderate climate with relatively low levels of sunshine compared to other parts of the UK.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are generally most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance, as well as maximum exposure to sunlight. Therefore, the agricultural lands around Sale could potentially be suited for solar farming if they are not being actively used for crops or livestock.
However, it's important to note that the UK's northern latitude and relatively cloudy weather could limit the efficiency of solar power generation. It would be necessary to conduct a detailed feasibility study considering factors like local climate patterns (including hours of sunlight), land availability and use restrictions before deciding on any large-scale solar PV project.
In addition to geographical considerations, factors such as local planning regulations, grid connectivity and access issues would also need to be taken into account when identifying suitable sites for large-scale solar PV installations near Sale.
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: Thursday 22nd of February 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
