Solar PV Analysis of Slough, United Kingdom
The location at Slough, England, United Kingdom, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone, can be described as moderately ideal for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies with the seasons.
In simple terms, during summer and spring you would get more energy - about 5.13 and 4.36 units a day respectively for every kW installed. On the other hand in autumn and winter this drops to around 2.31 and just over 1 unit per day per kW installed.
This means that it's best to generate solar power during spring or summer when there are longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight intensity due to Slough's position on Earth.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 44 degrees towards the South is recommended because it maximizes total year-round production from solar PV.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce here. The UK has a lot of cloudy days which may reduce sunlight exposure for your panels; also snowfall in winter might cover them up reducing their effectiveness.
To overcome these issues consider installing your panels where they will get maximum sun exposure throughout the year; keep trees or buildings from blocking them; clean them regularly especially after heavy snowfall or dust storms; if possible adjust their angles seasonally so they always face directly towards the sun as its position changes through different seasons.
Remember though that while these measures can help increase production they will also add costs so weigh up carefully whether they are worth it based on how much extra energy you expect to gain.
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 Slough
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5555, Longitude: -0.6212 (Slough, 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 Slough, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Slough, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5555, -0.6212) 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 Slough, 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 Slough, 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 Slough, 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 Slough, 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 Slough, United Kingdom
Slough is located in the southeast of England, within the county of Berkshire. The topography around Slough is generally flat to gently rolling, with some low hills and valleys. The town itself is largely urbanized and industrialized.
The Thames Valley, where Slough is located, has a relatively mild climate compared to other parts of the UK. It receives a moderate amount of sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, areas that are most suitable would be open fields or farmland outside urban centers where there's less shade and more space available for installation. Areas such as Langley Park to the south or Stoke Poges to the north could potentially be well-suited given their expanses of open land.
However, any development would need to consider local planning regulations and potential impacts on landscape character or biodiversity. Other factors like proximity to power grid connections and accessibility for construction and maintenance should also be taken into account.
Additionally, large industrial roofs within Slough itself could also provide significant opportunities for solar PV installations without taking up additional ground space.
Please note that specific site evaluations would still need to be conducted by professionals in order to determine actual suitability based on various technical parameters including orientation, shading analysis etc.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 26th of March 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.
