Tewkesbury, England, located in the United Kingdom at latitude 52.0319 and longitude -2.072, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Tewkesbury varies dramatically across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.42 kWh/day. However, there's a sharp decline in autumn, with only 2.14 kWh/day, and winter sees the lowest production at a mere 1.01 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Tewkesbury's solar potential is heavily concentrated in the spring and summer months, making it crucial to maximize energy capture during this period. The substantial drop in autumn and winter output suggests that alternative energy sources or storage solutions may be necessary to maintain consistent power supply year-round.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Tewkesbury, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 44 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Tewkesbury's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region is known for its cloudy weather, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, the area is prone to flooding, which could potentially damage ground-mounted solar installations.

To mitigate these issues, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels that perform well in low-light conditions
• Install panels on rooftops or elevated structures to avoid flood risks
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, which can accumulate in wet conditions
• Consider adding a solar tracking system to maximize energy capture during limited sunlight hours

While Tewkesbury may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, 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 763 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 Tewkesbury

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.0319, Longitude: -2.072 (Tewkesbury, 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 Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tewkesbury, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.0319, -2.072) 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 Tewkesbury, 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 Tewkesbury, 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 Tewkesbury, 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 Tewkesbury, 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 Tewkesbury, United Kingdom

Tewkesbury, a historic market town in Gloucestershire, England, is situated in a unique topographical setting. The town itself lies at the confluence of two major rivers, the Severn and the Avon, which greatly influences its surrounding landscape. The area around Tewkesbury is predominantly characterized by low-lying floodplains and gently rolling hills. The immediate vicinity of Tewkesbury is notably flat, with expansive meadows and agricultural fields stretching out from the town's edges. These low-lying areas are prone to flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or when the rivers swell. This flat terrain gradually gives way to more undulating countryside as one moves further from the town center. To the east and northeast of Tewkesbury, the landscape begins to rise slightly, forming the beginnings of the Cotswold Hills. These hills, while not particularly steep or high in this area, provide a subtle contrast to the flatter river valleys. The Cotswolds are known for their gentle slopes and picturesque rural scenery. To the west, the land remains relatively flat as it extends towards the Malvern Hills, which can be seen in the distance on clear days. This area is dominated by agricultural land, interspersed with small woodlands and hedgerows that create a patchwork effect across the landscape.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine favorable topography with minimal environmental and visual impact. The gently sloping areas to the east of Tewkesbury, as the land begins to rise towards the Cotswolds, could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These areas receive good sunlight exposure and the slight incline can actually be beneficial for solar panel efficiency. However, care would need to be taken to preserve the scenic beauty of the Cotswolds. The flatter agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Tewkesbury might also be considered for solar installations. These areas are less prone to flooding than the immediate surroundings of the town and offer large, open spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. The relatively flat terrain would make construction and maintenance easier. It's important to note that while the topography around Tewkesbury offers potential for solar PV development, any large-scale installations would need to be carefully planned. Considerations would include the impact on local agriculture, wildlife habitats, and the visual character of this historically significant area. Additionally, flood risk assessments would be crucial, especially in the lower-lying areas closer to the rivers.

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.