Solar PV Analysis of Waterlooville, United Kingdom
The location at Waterlooville, England, United Kingdom is pretty good for generating energy using solar PV systems throughout the year. However, it's not perfect because the amount of electricity that can be generated changes with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to produce a lot of electricity -- 5.79 kWh/day and 5.12 kWh/day per kW of installed solar respectively. These are the best times to generate solar power in this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
However, during autumn and winter, production drops significantly to only 2.59 kWh/day and 1.09 kWh/day per kW respectively because days are shorter and sunlight is less direct.
If you're planning on installing a fixed panel system at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 43 degrees facing south would give you the most electricity throughout the year.
Environmental or weather factors that could impact your solar production include cloud cover, fog or heavy rain which reduce sunlight exposure; snowfall which could cover your panels; as well as dust or bird droppings which could dirty your panels reducing their efficiency.
To combat these issues:
- Regular cleaning can help keep dust or bird droppings from blocking sunlight.
- Installing your panels at an angle not only maximises sun exposure but also helps snow slide off.
- Consider investing in a system that tracks the sun's path across the sky for maximum exposure even on cloudy days.
In conclusion: While Waterlooville isn't ideal all year round for generating solar energy due to seasonal variability in sunlight levels - particularly during autumn and winter months - it still offers decent potential especially if preventative measures like regular cleaning are taken into account when installing solar PV systems there.
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 Waterlooville
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 50.8963, Longitude: -1.0463 (Waterlooville, 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 43° South in Waterlooville, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Waterlooville, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 50.8963, -1.0463) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Waterlooville, 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 Waterlooville, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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 | 64° 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 Waterlooville, 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 Waterlooville, 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 Waterlooville, United Kingdom
Waterlooville, United Kingdom is located in the southern part of England and is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrains. The area is largely urban with some patches of farmland and green spaces.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas are usually preferred as they provide unobstructed sunlight for maximum efficiency. In Waterlooville's case, the nearby farmlands or open fields could be suitable sites for such installations.
However, it's important to consider various factors before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV projects. These include not just topography but also local weather conditions (amount of sun), proximity to power grids (for easy transmission), potential environmental impact, land use regulations among others.
As per UK's planning guidelines, brownfield sites or previously developed lands that are not currently in use are often prioritized for renewable energy developments including solar farms.
Please note that any such project would require thorough site assessment and approval from local authorities keeping in mind its impact on landscape character, biodiversity etc.
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: Tuesday 2nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Tuesday 2nd of July 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.
