Southsea, located on the southern coast of England, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Southsea, with an impressive daily output of 5.79 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.12 kWh per day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with only 2.59 kWh per day, and plummets to a mere 1.09 kWh per day in winter.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warm and cold seasons, indicating that solar energy production in Southsea is highly seasonal. The long, sunny days of summer and spring make these seasons ideal for solar generation, while the short, often overcast days of autumn and winter significantly reduce solar output.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Southsea, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun angles.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar production in Southsea:

1. Coastal Weather: Being a seaside location, Southsea is prone to frequent cloud cover and occasional sea mists, which can reduce solar efficiency.
2. Salt Spray: Proximity to the sea increases the risk of salt corrosion on solar panels and equipment.
3. Winter Conditions: Short days and potential snow or frost in winter can significantly impede solar production.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar PV systems in Southsea:

• Use corrosion-resistant materials and protective coatings to guard against salt damage.
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove salt deposits and other debris.
• Install slightly steeper panels to promote self-cleaning and reduce snow accumulation.
• Consider supplementary energy sources for winter months when solar output is low.

While Southsea's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and maintenance can help maximize the benefits of solar PV systems in this coastal 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 761 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 Southsea

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.7851, Longitude: -1.0389 (Southsea, 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 43° South in Southsea, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Southsea, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.7851, -1.0389) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Southsea, 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 Southsea, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	54° South in Autumn	64° 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 Southsea, 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 Southsea, 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 Southsea, United Kingdom

Southsea, located on the southern coast of England, is characterized by a predominantly flat topography. This coastal town, situated at the southern tip of Portsea Island, features a relatively level landscape with only subtle variations in elevation. The area around Southsea is primarily urban, with densely packed residential and commercial buildings stretching inland from the seafront. The coastline of Southsea is defined by a long, gently sloping shingle beach that extends for several kilometers. Behind the beach, a concrete sea wall and promenade protect the town from coastal erosion and flooding. Moving slightly inland, the terrain remains largely flat, with occasional small hills and gentle undulations. To the north and east of Southsea, the landscape continues to be predominantly flat as it merges with the rest of Portsmouth. The surrounding areas, including Fratton, Milton, and Eastney, share similar topographical characteristics, with minimal changes in elevation throughout.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the region is generally favorable for solar farms, as it minimizes shading and allows for efficient panel placement. However, the urban nature of Southsea and its immediate surroundings limits the available space for such installations. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found further inland, away from the densely populated coastal zone. The rural areas to the north and east of Portsmouth, such as parts of Havant and the South Downs, offer more open spaces that could potentially accommodate solar farms. These areas benefit from similar levels of sunlight exposure as Southsea while providing the necessary land area for large installations. Another potential location for solar PV development could be on the rooftops of large industrial or commercial buildings in the greater Portsmouth area. While not strictly "large-scale" in the traditional sense, utilizing these existing structures could provide significant solar energy generation capacity without requiring additional land use. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development would need to carefully consider environmental impact, local planning regulations, and grid connection capabilities. The South Downs National Park, located to the north, may have restrictions on such developments to preserve the natural landscape. Therefore, areas just outside the national park boundaries might offer a balance between suitable topography and regulatory feasibility for solar PV projects.

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.