Solar PV Analysis of Walthamstow, United Kingdom
The location at Walthamstow, England, United Kingdom, is fairly suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. However, it's not ideal because of the significant variation in energy output across different seasons.
In simple terms, a solar panel installed at this location would generate more electricity during summer and spring compared to autumn and winter. Specifically, in summer you could expect around 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In spring, this figure drops slightly to 4.36 kWh/day per kW installed.
However, in autumn and winter the output falls considerably due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. You'd only get about 2.31 kWh/day per kW in autumn and a mere 1.07 kWh/day per kW in winter.
To maximise total year-round production from your solar panels at this location they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing South.
Now let's look at local factors that may affect solar production here:
Walthamstow is relatively flat so topography isn't much of an issue but it does have its fair share of cloudy days which can reduce sunlight intensity thus affecting solar panel efficiency.
Also remember that buildings or trees can cast shadows on your panels reducing their effectiveness so it's important to consider these when deciding where exactly to place your panels.
As for preventative measures:
You might want to consider installing adjustable mounts for your panels so you can change their angle according to the season - steeper tilt in winter when sun is lower on horizon; less steep tilt during summer when sun is higher up.
Also ensure regular maintenance like cleaning off any dust or debris that might accumulate on the surface as these could also reduce sunlight absorption by the panels significantly.
Lastly if possible try installing extra capacity with more or larger size panels so even during less sunny months you'll generate enough power to meet your needs.
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 754 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 Walthamstow
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.5888, Longitude: -0.0247 (Walthamstow, 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 Walthamstow, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Walthamstow, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.5888, -0.0247) 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 Walthamstow, 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 Walthamstow, 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 Walthamstow, 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 Walthamstow, 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 Walthamstow, United Kingdom
Walthamstow is located in the London Borough of Waltham Forest in East London, UK. The topography of the region is relatively flat with minor undulations, typical of urban areas. It's part of the Lea Valley which was formed by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age.
The area has a mix of residential, commercial and green spaces including parks and reservoirs. There are several large flat areas that could be suitable for solar PV installations, particularly on rooftops or unused land.
However, considering it's a densely populated urban area, large scale ground-mounted solar farms may not be feasible due to lack of available land and potential conflicts with other land uses.
Instead, rooftop solar installations on commercial buildings or homes could be more practical. Large industrial buildings such as warehouses or factories typically have expansive roof space that can accommodate significant numbers of solar panels.
Furthermore, car parks or other large paved areas could potentially host solar canopies - structures that provide shade while generating electricity from mounted PV panels.
Public buildings like schools and community centres might also present opportunities for rooftop installations.
In terms of larger open spaces nearby suitable for ground-mounted systems: Lee Valley Park to the west or Epping Forest to the north-east might offer possibilities; however this would require careful consideration given their status as public recreational areas and potential environmental impacts.
It's important to note that any plans for largescale solar PV would need thorough assessment regarding grid connection capabilities and planning permissions among other factors.
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: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
