Solar PV Analysis of Spalding, United Kingdom
Spalding, England, United Kingdom, is a moderately good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies with the seasons. In simple terms, this means that in summer and spring you'll get more power from your panels than in autumn and winter.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar panel can produce about 5.15 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. Spring is also quite productive with around 4.29 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels. However, during autumn and winter, the output drops to 2.24 kWh/day and 1.08 kWh/day respectively.
To make sure you're getting as much energy as possible throughout the year from your solar panels at this location, they should be tilted at an angle facing south - ideally around 45 degrees.
There might be some local factors that could affect how much power your panels generate here though:
- The UK is known for its cloudy weather which can limit sunlight exposure.
- Spalding's northern latitude means it has shorter daylight hours especially in winter.
To overcome these challenges:
- You might want to consider using high-efficiency PV modules designed to perform better under lower light conditions.
- Also consider installing a tracking system so your panels follow the sun across the sky; this way they capture more sunlight during shorter days or when it's not directly overhead.
Remember though: even if these measures increase production slightly they may cost more initially so it’s important to weigh up whether they’re worth it based on how long you plan on living there and using solar power!
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 Spalding
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.8058, Longitude: -0.1636 (Spalding, 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 Spalding, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Spalding, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.8058, -0.1636) 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 Spalding, 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 Spalding, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° 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 Spalding, 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 Spalding, 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 Spalding, United Kingdom
Spalding is located in the Lincolnshire County of England. The topography around Spalding is generally flat and low-lying, as it's part of the Fens, a naturally marshy region that has been drained for agricultural use. This region is characterized by its fertile soil and lack of hills or mountains.
The flat landscape makes it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations because there are fewer obstructions to sunlight. Moreover, the area's relatively low latitude means it receives a decent amount of sunlight throughout the year.
Areas most suited to large-scale solar PV near Spalding would be open farmlands with few trees or buildings to obstruct sunlight. These could include areas towards Holbeach, Crowland or along the A16 road where there appears to be substantial open land space.
However, any such development would also need to consider factors like proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, potential impact on local wildlife and plant life (especially since this area has numerous nature reserves), as well as possible objections from local residents who may not want their views marred by solar panels. It's always important that any renewable energy project balances environmental benefits with potential ecological and social impacts.
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: Wednesday 10th of July 2024
Last Updated: Thursday 11th of July 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.
