Uckfield, 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 energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.62 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.18 kWh daily. These seasons offer ideal conditions for solar energy harvesting, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically during autumn and winter. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.48 kWh per day, while winter plummets to a mere 1.05 kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of maintaining consistent solar energy production year-round in Uckfield.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed panels should be installed at a 43-degree angle facing south. This tilt optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Uckfield's climate poses some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences frequent cloud cover and rainfall, particularly during autumn and winter months. These conditions can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, 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, which can accumulate more quickly in rainy climates

While Uckfield may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, the location still offers substantial potential, especially during spring and summer. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a valuable contribution to the area's renewable energy mix.

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 Uckfield

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.9784, Longitude: 0.1044 (Uckfield, 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 Uckfield, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Uckfield, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.9784, 0.1044) 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 Uckfield, 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 Uckfield, 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	53° South in Autumn	64° 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 Uckfield, 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 Uckfield, 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 Uckfield, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Uckfield, a town in East Sussex, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling countryside typical of the High Weald landscape. This region features a mix of wooded areas, open fields, and small valleys created by streams and rivers. The terrain is generally undulating, with subtle changes in elevation that create a patchwork of hills and dips across the landscape. To the north and east of Uckfield, the land rises slightly, forming part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This area is known for its ancient woodlands, scattered farms, and picturesque villages. The southern part of the region slopes gradually towards the South Downs, with more open farmland and fewer wooded areas. The River Uck, from which Uckfield derives its name, flows through the town and the surrounding area, carving shallow valleys and creating occasional floodplains. This waterway and its tributaries have shaped the local topography over time, resulting in a network of small valleys and ridges throughout the region.

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 be relatively flat or gently sloping areas with good exposure to sunlight and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The more open farmland to the south of Uckfield could potentially offer suitable sites for solar farms. These areas tend to have fewer trees and larger, uninterrupted fields that could accommodate extensive arrays of solar panels. The gradual slope towards the South Downs might also provide favorable conditions for solar energy capture, as south-facing slopes receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. However, it's important to note that the High Weald AONB status of much of the surrounding area may limit the potential for large-scale solar developments due to landscape protection policies. Additionally, the region's patchwork of small fields, hedgerows, and woodlands could pose challenges in finding sufficiently large and unobstructed areas for major solar installations. Any potential solar PV projects would need to carefully consider environmental impact, visual amenity, and local planning regulations. Smaller-scale installations on existing buildings or brownfield sites might be more feasible and less contentious than large solar farms in this picturesque and protected 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.