South Woodford, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.08 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.34 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn, producing only 2.22 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest generation, with a mere 0.99 kWh/day.

These figures highlight that South Woodford's solar potential is heavily concentrated in the spring and summer months, making it an ideal time for energy generation. The long daylight hours and generally clearer skies during these seasons contribute significantly to the higher output.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in South Woodford, England, the ideal angle to maximize year-round production is 44 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in South Woodford:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output, especially during autumn and winter.
2. Rain: Frequent rainfall, particularly in autumn and winter, can further diminish solar efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar generation potential.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and ensure greater energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

1. Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions.
2. Install a solar tracking system to maximize exposure to available sunlight.
3. Implement regular cleaning and maintenance to combat the effects of rain and pollution.
4. Consider coupling the system with battery storage to make better use of energy generated during peak times.

While South Woodford may not be ideal for year-round solar production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more productive spring and summer months.

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 763 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 South Woodford

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5878, Longitude: 0.015 (South Woodford, 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 South Woodford, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in South Woodford, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5878, 0.015) 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 South Woodford, 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 South Woodford, 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 South Woodford, 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 South Woodford, 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 South Woodford, United Kingdom

South Woodford, located in the London Borough of Redbridge, is situated in a relatively flat area of East London. The topography of the surrounding region is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys, typical of the Thames Basin lowlands. The area's elevation generally ranges from about 10 to 40 meters above sea level, with subtle variations across the landscape. To the east of South Woodford, the land gradually rises towards Epping Forest, a large area of ancient woodland. This slight increase in elevation creates a minor ridge that runs roughly north to south. To the west, the land slopes gently towards the Lea Valley, where the River Lea flows southward to join the River Thames. The immediate vicinity of South Woodford is predominantly urban, with a mix of residential areas, parks, and commercial developments. However, as you move further out from the town center, the landscape becomes more varied, with pockets of open green spaces and larger parks interspersed among the built-up areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to note that the densely populated nature of this part of London presents some challenges. However, there are a few potential options worth exploring: The area to the northeast of South Woodford, towards Chigwell and Loughton, has more open spaces and larger plots of land that could potentially accommodate solar farms. This region benefits from slightly higher elevations, which can improve solar exposure. To the southeast, the area around Ilford and towards Dagenham has some industrial zones and brownfield sites that could be repurposed for solar energy production. These areas are generally flat, which is advantageous for solar panel installation. The Lea Valley, to the west of South Woodford, contains some open areas and former industrial sites that might be suitable for solar development. While parts of this area are prone to flooding, elevated sections could be utilized for solar farms. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to carefully consider factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact, and the proximity to residential areas. Additionally, the relatively high latitude of South Woodford means that solar installations would need to be optimized for the area's specific sunlight conditions to maximize energy production.

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.