Solar PV Analysis of Springhead, United Kingdom
Springhead, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a location that can generate energy from solar panels throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies with each season.
In simple terms, solar panels work best when they have maximum exposure to sunlight. During summer and spring at this location, the amount of sunlight is quite good which allows for more energy generation. Specifically, in summer you can expect about 5.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power and in spring it's about 4.39 kWh/day per kW.
On the other hand, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and there's less sunlight available due to weather conditions like clouds or fog - the output drops significantly to around 1.94 kWh/day per kW in autumn and even lower to just 0.90 kWh/day per kW in winter.
For fixed panel installations at this location - tilting them at an angle of 45 degrees facing south would be ideal as it maximises their exposure to sun throughout the year leading to greater overall production.
Now let's talk about factors that could potentially impede solar production at Springhead:
The local weather plays a significant role here as cloudy or foggy conditions can reduce sun exposure hence lowering energy generation potential from your solar panels.
Topography could also be a concern if there are hills or tall structures around that cast shadows on your installation thereby reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues:
- You might want install more panels or use ones with higher efficiency ratings so that even on days with less sunlight you're still able to generate enough power.
- If shadows are a problem due to surrounding structures or landscape features - consider installing your setup on rooftops or elevated platforms where they'll have unobstructed access to sun.
- Regular maintenance such as cleaning off any dust or debris accumulation will ensure smooth operation and maximum efficiency of your panels.
So while Springhead may not provide the most ideal conditions year-round for solar energy generation, with careful planning and consideration of local factors, it's certainly possible to harness this renewable source effectively.
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 Springhead
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.5408, Longitude: -2.067 (Springhead, 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 Springhead, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Springhead, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.5408, -2.067) 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 Springhead, 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 Springhead, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 67° 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 Springhead, 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 Springhead, 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 Springhead, United Kingdom
Springhead, United Kingdom is located in the Greater Manchester area of England. The topography is characterized by rolling hills and open fields, with a mix of urban and rural landscapes. The region has a temperate maritime climate with relatively mild winters and cool summers.
Regarding solar PV installations, large open fields would be ideally suited for such projects as they provide ample space for the installation of solar panels. These areas also receive a good amount of sunlight throughout the year which can be harnessed to generate electricity.
However, it's important to note that any largescale solar PV project would require careful planning and consideration of various factors such as local regulations, environmental impact, grid connection possibilities etc. It's also worth considering that while the UK has made significant strides in renewable energy production in recent years, its climate isn't as sunny as other parts around the globe which might affect overall efficiency and productivity from solar installations.
Areas like Saddleworth Moor or any other large agricultural lands nearby could potentially be suitable for this purpose but again it would depend on various factors including ownership rights and local planning permissions.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 16th of January 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 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.
