Solar PV Analysis of Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Uxbridge, England, United Kingdom, has varying levels of solar energy potential throughout the year due to its location in the Northern Temperate Zone.
During summer, you can expect a relatively high amount of energy production from solar panels with an average output of 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is the most ideal time for generating solar power in this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
In autumn, the output drops to about 2.31 kWh/day per kW as days become shorter and sunlight intensity decreases. The situation worsens in winter with an even lower average output at around 1.07 kWh/day per kW because of short daylight hours and low sun position.
However, during springtime, the potential increases again up to about 4.36 kWh/day per kW as days start getting longer and sun position becomes higher.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing South.
As for local factors that could affect your system's performance:
- Weather: Uxbridge experiences a significant amount of cloud cover throughout the year which could reduce sunlight exposure on your panels.
- Topography: If there are hills or tall buildings casting shadows over your installation site during certain times of day or year, this could also limit sunlight exposure.
- Environmental: Trees or other vegetation growing near your installation site might cast shadows over your panels if not properly managed.
To overcome these challenges:
- Choose a site that is free from shading by buildings or trees.
- Regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they operate efficiently despite weather conditions.
- Consider using tracking systems that adjust panel orientation throughout the day/year to follow the sun's path across sky if shading cannot be avoided entirely.
Remember though that while these measures can help, they cannot completely eliminate the impact of local factors on your solar production.
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 Uxbridge
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5278, Longitude: -0.4843 (Uxbridge, 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 Uxbridge, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Uxbridge, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5278, -0.4843) 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 Uxbridge, 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 Uxbridge, 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 | 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 Uxbridge, 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 Uxbridge, 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 Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Uxbridge is located in the Greater London area of England, United Kingdom. The topography around Uxbridge is relatively flat with gentle rolling hills. It's part of the London Basin, a geological formation characterized by clay and gravel soils.
The River Colne and its tributaries run through this region, creating some minor valleys. There are also several parks and green spaces in and around Uxbridge including Colne Valley Regional Park which provides a significant open space.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are relatively flat with minimal shading would be ideal. This could include open fields or farmland outside of the city center where there may be fewer obstructions such as buildings or trees.
It's also important to consider proximity to existing power infrastructure for connectivity purposes; remote locations could incur additional costs for connection to the grid.
However, it should be noted that any large-scale solar project would need to undergo an environmental impact assessment and planning permission process which would consider factors such as visual impact on the landscape, potential effect on local wildlife habitats or agricultural land use etc.
Please note that while UK has been investing heavily in renewable energy sources including solar power, its climate isn't as conducive to solar energy production compared with sunnier countries due to its higher latitude and often cloudy weather conditions.
Therefore while technically possible, large scale solar PV farms might not be as economically viable or efficient in this region compared with other forms of renewable energy like wind power.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 7th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
