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

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer proves to be the most productive season for solar energy in Teddington, England, with an average daily output of 5.13kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.36kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with 2.31kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, producing only 1.07kWh/day.

These figures highlight the substantial difference between peak and off-peak seasons, with summer generating nearly five times more energy than winter. This variation is primarily due to the location's latitude and the resulting changes in daylight hours and sun angle throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Teddington, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the sun's changing position and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Challenges and Solutions

The primary challenge for solar production in Teddington is the region's weather patterns. The UK is known for its cloudy and rainy climate, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate this:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to prevent dirt and debris accumulation, which can further reduce efficiency

Another factor to consider is potential shading from nearby trees or buildings. A thorough site assessment should be conducted before installation to ensure optimal panel placement. If shading is unavoidable, consider using microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact on the entire system's performance.

Despite these challenges, advancements in solar technology continue to improve panel efficiency, making solar energy an increasingly viable option even in less-than-ideal locations like Teddington.

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 Teddington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.4193, Longitude: -0.3306 (Teddington, 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 Teddington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Teddington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.4193, -0.3306) 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 Teddington, 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 Teddington, 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	54° 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 Teddington, 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 Teddington, 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 Teddington, United Kingdom

Teddington, located in southwest London, sits on relatively flat terrain along the northern bank of the River Thames. The area's topography is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying floodplains, typical of the Thames Valley region. The landscape around Teddington is predominantly urban and suburban, with a mix of residential areas, parks, and open spaces. To the north and west of Teddington, the land gradually rises towards Richmond Park and Bushy Park, two of London's largest royal parks. These areas feature slightly more undulating terrain, with small hills and valleys creating a subtle variation in the landscape. The elevation in this region ranges from about 5 to 30 meters above sea level.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

While the immediate vicinity of Teddington is largely developed, there are some nearby areas that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations: The expansive grounds of Hampton Court Palace, located just to the southwest of Teddington, offer a significant amount of open space. While historical preservation concerns would need to be addressed, portions of the palace's grounds could potentially accommodate solar arrays. Slightly further afield, the former Kempton Park Racecourse site to the west presents an opportunity for solar development. This large, flat area has already seen some redevelopment and could potentially host a substantial solar installation. To the northwest, parts of Richmond Park, particularly in its less wooded sections, could be considered for solar PV projects. However, as a protected area and important wildlife habitat, any development here would require careful planning and environmental impact assessments. The relatively flat agricultural lands to the south and southeast of Teddington, stretching towards Esher and Claygate, might also be suitable for solar farms. These areas benefit from good sun exposure and minimal shading from buildings or trees. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, any large-scale solar PV development would need to navigate complex planning regulations, environmental considerations, and local community concerns. The densely populated nature of the greater London area means that finding sizeable plots for solar farms close to Teddington is challenging, and rooftop solar installations on commercial and industrial buildings may be a more practical alternative in this urban setting.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.