Solar PV Analysis of St Albans, United Kingdom
The location at St Albans, England, United Kingdom is somewhat suitable for generating solar energy all year round, but the amount of electricity you can generate varies significantly depending on the season.
In simple terms, a solar panel system in this area will produce more power during some parts of the year than others. The highest production would be in the summer when it can generate about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. Spring follows next with around 4.36 kWh/day per kW. In autumn, this drops to about 2.31 kWh/day per kW and then further drops to just around 1.07 kWh/day per kW in winter.
So, if you're thinking about when's best to get most out of your solar panels in St Albans, England, that would definitely be during the longer daylight hours of summer and spring.
To make sure your panels are working as efficiently as possible throughout the year, they should be fixed at an angle facing south that leans back by 44 degrees from vertical - this is because it maximises how much sunlight hits them over all four seasons.
As for any local factors that might affect your solar output - yes there are a few things to consider:
1) The UK has quite a variable climate which means there may well be periods where cloud cover reduces potential generation.
2) Winter months not only have shorter days but also lower sun angles and often more cloudy weather – all these reduce potential generation.
3) Any buildings or trees nearby could potentially cast shadows on your panels which would limit their effectiveness too.
To deal with these challenges:
- You could consider installing more capacity than you might need during summer months so you still have enough power even when production decreases in winter.
- Make sure your installation site is clear from shade as much as possible.
- Regular maintenance like cleaning can help ensure maximum efficiency of your panels.
In conclusion, while St Albans is not the most ideal location for solar power generation due to its variable weather and lower sun angles in winter, with proper installation and maintenance it can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
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 756 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 St Albans
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.813, Longitude: -0.4308 (St Albans, 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 St Albans, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in St Albans, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.813, -0.4308) 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 St Albans, 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 St Albans, 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 St Albans, 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 St Albans, 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 St Albans, United Kingdom
St Albans is located in the southeastern part of England, within the county of Hertfordshire. The topography around St Albans is relatively flat with some gentle rolling hills. It sits at an elevation of approximately 100-130 meters above sea level.
The area has a mix of urban and rural landscapes, with farmland, forests and residential areas. There are several open fields and pastures that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
The most suitable locations for large-scale solar PV would likely be the flatter agricultural lands to the north and west of St Albans. These areas have good sun exposure and are less likely to have shading issues from trees or buildings. They also tend to be further away from densely populated residential areas which may reduce potential conflicts over land use.
However, any specific site would need a more detailed assessment including factors such as local planning regulations, proximity to power grid connections, potential impact on wildlife habitats or other environmental considerations.
It's also worth noting that while southern UK gets less sunlight than countries closer to equator, it can still support solar power generation effectively - Germany (which gets similar sunlight levels) has one of the highest capacities for solar power in the world.
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: Friday 5th of April 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.
