Stone, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed scenario for solar PV energy generation. The town's geographical position at latitude 52.8928 and longitude -2.0849 offers varying potential throughout the year, with distinct seasonal patterns in energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Stone, England, with an impressive output of 5.27 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.42 kWh/day. These seasons provide excellent opportunities for maximizing solar energy production.

However, the colder months see a significant drop in solar output. Autumn yields a moderate 2.14 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at just 1.01 kWh/day per kW installed. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar power year-round in Stone's climate.

Optimizing Solar Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Stone, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

Stone's location in the UK means it faces some environmental factors that could impact solar production:

• Frequent cloud cover, especially in autumn and winter, can reduce solar efficiency.
• Short winter days limit the amount of sunlight available for energy production.

To mitigate these challenges, consider using high-efficiency solar panels that perform well in low-light conditions. Additionally, implementing a solar tracking system can help maximize energy capture by following the sun's path throughout the day, though this comes with increased installation and maintenance costs.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels are crucial in Stone's climate to prevent buildup of dust, leaves, or bird droppings that could impede energy production. Installing panels at a steeper angle can also help with self-cleaning during rainfall.

While Stone may not be ideal for year-round solar production compared to sunnier locations, the strong performance in spring and summer makes solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, especially when combined with other renewable energy sources or energy storage solutions.

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 Stone

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.8928, Longitude: -2.0849 (Stone, 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 Stone, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stone, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.8928, -2.0849) 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 Stone, 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 Stone, 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 Stone, 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 Stone, 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 Stone, United Kingdom

The area around Stone, United Kingdom, located at latitude 52.8928 and longitude -2.0849, is characterized by a gently undulating landscape typical of the English Midlands. This region, situated in Staffordshire, features a mix of low-lying plains and subtle hills, creating a picturesque rural setting. The topography of Stone and its surrounding areas is predominantly composed of rolling countryside, with occasional shallow valleys and modest elevations. The land gradually rises from the Trent Valley in the east towards the higher ground of the Staffordshire Moorlands to the north. This gentle terrain is interspersed with small woodlands, hedgerows, and agricultural fields, giving the landscape a patchwork appearance.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Stone, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those with relatively flat or gently sloping land, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from natural or man-made structures. The agricultural lands to the south and east of Stone offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas tend to be flatter and more open, with fewer obstructions to block sunlight. The expansive fields in this region could potentially accommodate large solar arrays without significant alterations to the existing landscape. Another area of interest lies to the west of Stone, where the terrain remains relatively level before rising towards the Staffordshire hills. This transitional zone between the lowlands and uplands could provide suitable sites for solar farms, particularly on south-facing slopes that receive optimal sunlight throughout the day. It's important to note that while the topography around Stone is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when determining the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar projects in the area.

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.