Walsall, located in the West Midlands of England, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.15kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.29kWh daily. These seasons offer the best opportunity for maximizing solar energy production in Walsall.

However, the colder months paint a different picture. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 2.24kWh per day, while winter plummets to a mere 1.08kWh daily output. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy generation in this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Walsall, fixed panels should be installed at a 45-degree angle facing south. This tilt angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Walsall's location doesn't present any extreme environmental challenges, there are factors that could impact solar production:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output, especially during autumn and winter.
• Air pollution: As an industrial area, Walsall may experience higher levels of air pollution, potentially affecting solar panel efficiency.

Mitigation Strategies

To counteract these factors and ensure greater energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat pollution build-up on panels. Consider microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading. Finally, ensure proper ventilation behind the panels to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

While Walsall may not be ideal for year-round solar production, with proper planning and installation techniques, it can still harness significant solar energy, particularly during the 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 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 Walsall

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.5876, Longitude: -1.9828 (Walsall, 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 45° South in Walsall, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Walsall, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.5876, -1.9828) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 45° 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 Walsall, 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 Walsall, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 45° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
36° South in Summer	56° South in Autumn	66° 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 Walsall, 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 Walsall, 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 Walsall, United Kingdom

The topography around Walsall, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and shallow valleys, typical of the West Midlands region. The area is part of the Birmingham Plateau, which gradually slopes downward from west to east. Walsall itself sits at an elevation of approximately 150 meters above sea level, with surrounding areas varying in height. To the north and west of Walsall, the landscape becomes slightly more undulating, with small hills and ridges punctuating the terrain. The nearby Cannock Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty showcases this more pronounced topography, with its mix of heathland and woodland areas. To the south and east, the land becomes flatter as it approaches the urban sprawl of Birmingham and the Black Country. This area is more densely populated and industrialized, with fewer open spaces and natural features.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Walsall, several factors come into play. Ideal sites would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The areas to the south and east of Walsall, where the land is generally flatter, could potentially be suitable for solar farms. These locations benefit from the gradually decreasing elevation of the Birmingham Plateau, which may provide optimal sun exposure throughout the day. Former industrial sites or brownfield areas in the Black Country region might also be considered for solar PV installations. These locations often have large, open spaces that could be repurposed for renewable energy generation. Agricultural land to the north and west of Walsall, where the terrain is more varied, may offer some opportunities for solar farms. However, careful site selection would be necessary to ensure that the chosen locations have suitable topography and do not negatively impact valuable farmland or areas of natural beauty. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require thorough environmental assessments, planning permissions, and consideration of local regulations. The specific suitability of any site would depend on a variety of factors beyond just topography, including grid connectivity, local energy demand, and community acceptance.

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.