Solar PV Analysis of Wells, United Kingdom
Wells, England, in the United Kingdom, is a decent place to generate solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not equally good all year round. In simple terms, you would get more electricity from your solar panels during certain times of the year than others.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a lot of electricity - around 5.42 kilowatt-hours (kWh) and 4.54 kWh per day respectively for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This means that these are ideal times to harness solar energy in Wells; longer daylight hours and higher sun positions result in better power output.
In contrast, autumn and winter see a significant drop in production due to shorter days and lower sun angles - with about 2.31 kWh/day in autumn and only 1.05 kWh/day during winter per kW of installed solar panel capacity.
To make sure you're getting as much power as possible from your panels throughout the year at this location, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 43 degrees facing southward.
However, there might be some factors that could affect how much energy your panels can produce here:
- Weather: The UK is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels.
- Shading: Buildings or trees nearby may cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
There are ways though to manage these issues:
- Use high-efficiency PV modules: These types can perform better under low light conditions like clouds or fog.
- Regular Cleaning & Maintenance: Dust or bird droppings can block sunlight too so regular cleaning helps maintain performance.
- Strategic Installation: If shading is an issue because of buildings or trees nearby then installing them where they'll get maximum exposure to sunlight will help ensure greater energy production.
So while Wells isn't perfect for generating solar power all-year-round due its varying seasonal performance and potential weather-related issues, with the right setup and maintenance, it can still be a good place for solar energy production.
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 Wells
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.2122, Longitude: -2.6505 (Wells, 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 Wells, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wells, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.2122, -2.6505) 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 Wells, 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 Wells, 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 | 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 Wells, 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 Wells, 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 Wells, United Kingdom
Wells, United Kingdom is located in the southwest of England, in Somerset county. The topography includes a mix of flat and hilly areas. The city is surrounded by the Mendip Hills to the north and east, with gentle rolling hills leading into flat plains towards Glastonbury to the west.
The most suitable places for large-scale solar PV installations would be on these flatter plains or gently rolling hills where sun exposure can be maximized and installation costs minimized. Areas towards Glastonbury could potentially be suitable due to their relatively flat terrain.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on other factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids for energy transmission and environmental considerations among others. Therefore an exhaustive feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on a specific location for a large-scale solar PV project.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 15th of July 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.
