Swadlincote, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.09 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.22 kWh/day. However, the output drops considerably during autumn, yielding only 2.18 kWh/day, and plummets to a mere 1.03 kWh/day in winter.

These figures highlight that Swadlincote's solar potential is heavily skewed towards the warmer months. The substantial difference between summer and winter production underscores the challenges of relying solely on solar power year-round in this location.

Optimal Panel Configuration

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Swadlincote, England, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 45-degree angle facing south. This configuration helps to capture the most sunlight possible across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could impede solar production in Swadlincote:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Swadlincote experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can affect panel performance.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar exposure.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a robust cleaning system to remove dirt and debris, ensuring optimal panel performance.
• Implement micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading.
• Consider a hybrid system with battery storage to compensate for low-production periods.

While Swadlincote may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, thoughtful system design and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more productive spring and summer months.

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 Swadlincote

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.7003, Longitude: -1.5827 (Swadlincote, 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 Swadlincote, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swadlincote, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.7003, -1.5827) 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 Swadlincote, 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 Swadlincote, 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	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 Swadlincote, 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 Swadlincote, 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 Swadlincote, United Kingdom

The area around Swadlincote, located in South Derbyshire, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling countryside with a mix of agricultural land and small woodlands. The topography is generally low-lying, with subtle variations in elevation across the landscape. The town itself sits on slightly elevated ground, with the surrounding area gradually sloping down towards the nearby River Trent valley to the east. To the west and southwest of Swadlincote, the terrain becomes more undulating, with small hills and valleys creating a patchwork of fields and hedgerows. This area is part of the National Forest, a relatively new woodland that has been planted across parts of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire. The forest adds to the area's scenic beauty and provides a contrast to the more open agricultural lands.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Swadlincote, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be relatively flat, open areas with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Based on these criteria, the following areas near Swadlincote could be potential candidates: The agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Swadlincote offer promising potential for solar PV installations. These areas are generally flatter and more open, with fewer obstructions to block sunlight. The gently sloping fields in this direction provide good sun exposure throughout the day, which is crucial for maximizing solar energy production. Some of the reclaimed former mining sites in the vicinity could also be suitable for solar farms. These areas often have large, open spaces that are not currently used for agriculture or other purposes. Repurposing these brownfield sites for renewable energy production could be an environmentally beneficial use of the land. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, local planning regulations, and community concerns. The presence of the National Forest and other areas of natural beauty in the region means that visual impact assessments would be crucial in determining suitable locations for solar installations. Additionally, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure would be an important consideration. Areas closer to power substations or transmission lines might be more practical for connecting large solar farms to the grid. In conclusion, while the rolling countryside around Swadlincote presents some challenges for large-scale solar PV, there are potential areas, particularly to the east and on former industrial sites, that could be suitable for such developments. Careful planning and community engagement would be essential to ensure any solar projects are implemented sustainably and in harmony with the local landscape.

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.