Wallington, England, located in the United Kingdom, offers a moderate potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Wallington, England, with an average daily output of 5.13 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.36 kWh/day. However, the performance drops considerably during autumn, with 2.31 kWh/day, and reaches its lowest point in winter, producing only 1.07 kWh/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 changing angle of the sun throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Wallington, 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, considering the location's specific latitude and solar elevation angles throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Wallington:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Wallington experiences considerable rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel output.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar energy production.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges and enhance solar energy production, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, especially after rainy periods.
• Consider adding a solar tracking system to maximize energy capture during limited daylight hours.
• Explore battery storage options to balance out seasonal variations in energy production.

While Wallington may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production compared to sunnier locations, implementing these strategies can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems in this area.

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 761 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 Wallington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.3873, Longitude: -0.1596 (Wallington, 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 Wallington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wallington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.3873, -0.1596) 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 Wallington, 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 Wallington, 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 Wallington, 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 Wallington, 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 Wallington, United Kingdom

The area around Wallington, United Kingdom, located at latitude 51.3873 and longitude -0.1596, is characterized by a gently undulating landscape typical of the London Basin. This region is predominantly low-lying, with subtle variations in elevation creating a softly rolling terrain. The topography is largely shaped by the underlying chalk and clay geology, which has been further influenced by centuries of human activity and development. Wallington itself sits at an elevation of approximately 50 meters above sea level. The surrounding area gradually rises towards the north and south, with slightly higher ground found in the nearby neighborhoods of Carshalton and Beddington. To the south, the land begins to rise more noticeably as it approaches the North Downs, a ridge of chalk hills that forms a natural boundary between Greater London and Surrey.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Wallington, several factors come into play, including available land, topography, and local planning regulations. While the urban nature of the area limits options, there are some potential sites that could be suitable: The former Beddington Farmlands, located to the east of Wallington, offers a relatively flat and open area that could potentially accommodate solar panels. This brownfield site is currently undergoing restoration as a nature reserve, but portions of it might be considered for renewable energy projects. To the south, the more rural areas approaching the North Downs may provide opportunities for solar farms. These locations benefit from slightly higher elevations and potentially less urban obstruction, which could improve solar exposure. However, any development would need to be balanced with preserving the natural beauty of the landscape. The industrial areas around Beddington Lane, northeast of Wallington, might also offer potential for rooftop solar installations on large commercial buildings. While not strictly large-scale ground-mounted solar farms, these could still contribute significantly to local renewable energy generation. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project in this area would require careful planning and consideration of local environmental and community factors. The relatively dense urban nature of the region means that available land is limited, and projects would need to be designed sensitively to integrate with the existing landscape and community needs.

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.