Swansea, United Kingdom, situated at latitude 51.6235 and longitude -4.0344, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in South Wales experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which directly impacts the efficiency of photovoltaic systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Swansea follows a predictable pattern aligned with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.84 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.04 kWh/day. However, there's a stark contrast during the colder months, with autumn yielding 2.21 kWh/day and winter dropping to a mere 1.05 kWh/day.

Optimal Installation Angle

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Swansea, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This carefully calculated angle takes into account the city's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impede solar production in Swansea: 1. Cloud cover: The city's coastal location contributes to frequent cloud cover, potentially reducing solar efficiency. 2. Rainfall: Swansea experiences significant rainfall, which can affect panel performance. 3. Maritime air: Proximity to the sea exposes solar installations to salt air, potentially leading to corrosion over time. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed for maritime environments
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove salt deposits and other debris
• Install a robust mounting system to withstand occasional strong winds
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

While Swansea may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, the substantial output during spring and summer months makes solar PV a viable option. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, residents can still benefit significantly from solar energy, particularly during the longer, sunnier days of the year.

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 Swansea

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.6235, Longitude: -4.0344 (Swansea, 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 43° South in Swansea, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swansea, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.6235, -4.0344) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Swansea, 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 Swansea, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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	43° 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 Swansea, 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 Swansea, 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 Swansea, United Kingdom

The topography around Swansea, United Kingdom, is quite diverse and interesting. Swansea itself is situated on the coast of South Wales, nestled along Swansea Bay. The city center is relatively flat, but as you move away from the coast, the landscape becomes more varied.

To the north and northeast of Swansea, the terrain gradually rises into rolling hills and valleys. This area, known as the Swansea Valley, features a mix of gentle slopes and steeper inclines. Further north, you'll find the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, characterized by more dramatic hills and mountains.

To the west of Swansea lies the Gower Peninsula, a region of outstanding natural beauty. The Gower features a mix of coastal cliffs, sandy beaches, and undulating countryside. The southern coast of the peninsula is particularly rugged, with limestone cliffs and hidden coves.

East of Swansea, the landscape transitions into the flatlands of the Loughor Estuary before rising again into the hills of Carmarthenshire.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, you'd want relatively flat or gently sloping land with good sun exposure and minimal shading. Based on the topography around Swansea, a few areas stand out as potentially suitable:

1. The flatter areas to the east of Swansea, near the Loughor Estuary, could be suitable for solar farms. These areas receive good sunlight and have less dramatic terrain than the hillier regions to the north.

2. Some of the more gently sloping hillsides in the Swansea Valley, particularly those facing south, might be appropriate for solar installations. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas of significant natural beauty or ecological importance.

3. Parts of the Gower Peninsula, particularly some of the flatter agricultural areas, could potentially accommodate solar farms. However, as much of the Gower is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there would likely be significant restrictions on development.

It's important to note that while topography is a crucial factor in siting solar PV installations, other considerations such as grid connectivity, local planning regulations, and environmental impact would also play significant roles in determining suitable locations.

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.