Solar PV Analysis of Torquay, United Kingdom
Torquay, England, a seaside town in Devon, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal destination experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Torquay, England, with an impressive daily output of 5.84kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.93kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with 2.51kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, producing only 1.12kWh/day.
These figures highlight the stark contrast between the warmer and colder months, with summer producing more than five times the energy of winter. This disparity underscores the importance of maximizing energy collection during the more favorable seasons to offset the reduced winter output.
Optimal Panel Installation
To achieve the best year-round solar energy production in Torquay, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 43 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the town's specific latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Torquay's coastal location offers ample sunlight, there are some environmental factors that could impact solar energy production:
- Coastal weather: Frequent cloud cover and occasional sea mist can reduce solar efficiency.
- Salt air: Proximity to the sea exposes solar panels to salt spray, which can cause corrosion over time.
To mitigate these issues, it's advisable to use marine-grade materials for mounting systems and to ensure panels are regularly cleaned to remove salt deposits. Additionally, investing in high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help maintain efficiency in the face of variable coastal conditions.
In conclusion, while Torquay's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly in winter, the strong performance during spring and summer makes it a viable option. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can still provide significant energy contributions to local households and businesses.
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 911 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 Torquay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.478, Longitude: -3.5182 (Torquay, 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 Torquay, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Torquay, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.478, -3.5182) 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 Torquay, 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 Torquay, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 64° South in Winter | 42° 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 Torquay, 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 Torquay, United Kingdom.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Torquay, United Kingdom
Torquay, located in Devon, United Kingdom, is situated along the coast of Torbay, an area often referred to as the "English Riviera" due to its mild climate and scenic beauty. The topography around Torquay is characterized by a combination of coastal features and rolling hills.
The town itself is built on a series of hills that slope down towards the sea. The coastline is marked by rugged cliffs, small coves, and sandy beaches. As you move inland from Torquay, the landscape becomes more varied, with a mix of gentle hills, valleys, and plateaus. The surrounding countryside is predominantly rural, with a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and small villages.
To the north and west of Torquay, the terrain becomes more elevated as it transitions into the edges of Dartmoor National Park. This area features more pronounced hills and some steeper valleys. To the south, the coastline continues with a similar pattern of cliffs and bays, while to the east, the land opens up into the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, characterized by undulating farmland and coastal plains.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the following considerations are important:
The ideal locations for solar farms would be relatively flat or gently sloping areas that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. The rural areas to the west and northwest of Torquay, particularly as you move towards Newton Abbot and the fringes of Dartmoor, might offer suitable sites. These areas have more open, agricultural land that could potentially accommodate large solar installations without significant impact on residential areas or protected landscapes.
Another potential area for solar development could be the coastal plains to the east of Torquay, towards Teignmouth and Dawlish. These areas have a good balance of open space and favorable topography for solar panels. However, it's crucial to note that any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider environmental impact, especially given the region's natural beauty and tourism significance.
It's important to remember that while the topography around Torquay can support solar PV installations, other factors such as local planning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental protections would also play a significant role in determining the feasibility of 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 8th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
