Solar PV Analysis of Waltham Cross, United Kingdom
The location at Waltham Cross in the United Kingdom is somewhat suitable for generating energy through solar PV all year round, but there are better times than others. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar varies greatly with the seasons.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This amount decreases to about 2.31 kWh/day in autumn and drops further to around 1.07 kWh/day in winter. However, it increases again in spring to approximately 4.36 kWh/day.
So, the ideal times of year to generate solar power at this location would be during the sunnier months - particularly summer and spring when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is stronger.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 44 degrees facing south would maximize your total year-round production from solar PV.
As for local factors that may impact your solar production, weather is a significant one given the UK's reputation for cloudy skies which could limit sunlight exposure on some days throughout the year especially during winter months when daylight hours are shorter as well.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these factors, it's important to keep your panels clean and free from debris or dust which could obstruct sunlight absorption; consider installing a tracking system that allows your panels to follow the sun's path across the sky; or use advanced inverters or optimizers which can help improve efficiency even under less-than-ideal conditions like partial shading or cloudy skies.
It’s also worth noting that while Waltham Cross does not have any notable topographical features such as mountains or tall buildings that might block sunlight reaching your panels; if there were such features nearby they could potentially cast shadows on your installation thus reducing its effectiveness.
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 Waltham Cross
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.7107, Longitude: -0.0689 (Waltham Cross, 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 Waltham Cross, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Waltham Cross, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.7107, -0.0689) 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 Waltham Cross, 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 Waltham Cross, 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 | 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 Waltham Cross, 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 Waltham Cross, 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 Waltham Cross, United Kingdom
Waltham Cross is located in the southern part of Hertfordshire, England. The terrain is relatively flat with some minor hills and slopes. It's part of the London Metropolitan Green Belt, which means it's surrounded by open land, parks, and forests.
Solar PV installations require areas with high sun exposure and minimal shading from trees or buildings. Flat or gently sloping terrains are also preferred as they are easier to install on and allow for maximum sunlight exposure.
Given these requirements, there could be potential for solar PV installation in the surrounding open lands or farmlands around Waltham Cross if planning permissions can be obtained. The rooftops of commercial or industrial buildings within the town could also be suitable locations as they typically have large flat surfaces that are unobstructed by shadows.
However, it's important to consider local regulations regarding renewable energy installations in both urban and rural settings. A detailed site assessment would need to be conducted to determine feasibility based on factors like sun exposure, slope gradient, soil stability etc.
In terms of solar irradiance (sunlight availability), UK generally receives enough sunlight making it feasible for solar PV systems despite its reputation for cloudy weather. South-facing sites would generally yield better results because they receive more direct sunlight over the course of a day.
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: Saturday 2nd 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.
