Southend-on-Sea in the United Kingdom offers varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal Essex town experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar electricity production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Southend-on-Sea perform best during summer months, generating approximately 5.08kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.34kWh/day per kW. Performance drops considerably during autumn to 2.22kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest output period with just 0.99kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

This seasonal pattern means that approximately 70% of annual solar energy is produced during the spring and summer months, with solar generation peaking around June and July. The substantial difference between summer and winter production (over 5 times more energy in summer) is characteristic of locations at this northern latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Southend-on-Sea, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 44 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in sun height and intensity throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors could impact solar production in Southend-on-Sea:

• Coastal fog and sea mist can reduce solar irradiance, particularly during morning hours in spring and summer months
• Higher than average rainfall compared to some UK regions may reduce clear-sky days
• Salt air exposure can potentially accelerate degradation of panel components and mounting hardware
• Winter months may see extended periods of overcast conditions, further reducing the already low winter production

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Southend-on-Sea should incorporate marine-grade mounting hardware and connections resistant to salt corrosion. Regular cleaning is advisable to remove salt deposits and coastal debris. Additionally, microinverter or power optimizer technology can help maximize production during partial shading conditions that may occur more frequently in this coastal environment.

Despite these challenges, Southend-on-Sea receives adequate solar radiation to make photovoltaic installations worthwhile, particularly systems designed with the specific seasonal variations in mind.

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 Southend-on-Sea

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5554, Longitude: 0.6466 (Southend-on-Sea, 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 Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5554, 0.6466) 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 Southend-on-Sea, 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 Southend-on-Sea, 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	43° 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 Southend-on-Sea, 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 Southend-on-Sea, 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 Southend-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Topography of Southend-on-Sea

Southend-on-Sea is located on the north side of the Thames Estuary in Essex, approximately 40 miles east of London. The topography of the area is characterized by a gently undulating landscape with modest elevations. The town itself sits on a ridge that rises from the Thames Estuary, with the highest points reaching approximately 60 meters above sea level in the northern parts of the borough. The coastline features a mix of sandy beaches and mudflats that are exposed at low tide. The famous Southend Pier extends 1.34 miles (2.16 km) into the Thames Estuary, illustrating the shallow gradient of the seabed in this area. This coastal zone transitions into low-lying plains that gradually rise inland. To the north and northwest of Southend, the land becomes more rural with open farmland and scattered woodland. This area has a subtle rolling character typical of the Essex countryside, with small valleys formed by minor watercourses. The River Roach and its tributaries have shaped parts of the northern landscape, creating shallow valleys and floodplains.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering large-scale solar PV installations near Southend-on-Sea, several areas present favorable conditions based on topographical considerations: The agricultural lands to the north and northwest of Southend offer the most potential for large-scale solar development. These areas benefit from relatively flat or gently sloping terrain that would minimize installation complexities and costs. The open nature of these farmlands provides minimal shading from natural features, which is crucial for optimal solar energy capture. Areas around Rochford, approximately 3 miles north of Southend center, feature expansive agricultural fields with favorable south-facing gentle slopes in some locations. These subtle inclines can actually enhance solar collection when panels are oriented properly. The Foulness Island area to the east, while remote, offers extensive flat terrain with minimal competing land uses. The open landscape here receives minimal shadowing from topographical features, though coastal considerations including potential flooding would need assessment. The western approaches to Southend, towards Hadleigh and Thundersley, contain some elevated areas with good aspects for solar collection. These higher grounds often have favorable exposure to sunlight throughout the day due to their elevation above potential sources of shadow. It's worth noting that the immediate coastal strip is less suitable due to urban development, higher land values, and potential issues with salt spray affecting equipment longevity. Additionally, some of the low-lying areas near the coast and along river valleys may be subject to flooding or have protected status due to their ecological importance, particularly the marshlands and mudflats which serve as important habitats for wading birds and other wildlife. The most promising zones combine agricultural land classification that permits development, favorable terrain with minimal shadowing, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for grid connection.

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.