Solar PV Analysis of Wigan, United Kingdom
Wigan, England, in the United Kingdom, has varying potential for solar energy production throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that there are certain times of the year when solar panels installed here can generate more electricity compared to other times.
During summer and spring, Wigan gets a good amount of sunlight with an average of 5.31kWh/day and 4.39kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panel capacity. This makes these seasons ideal for generating solar power as longer daylight hours allow for maximum exposure to sunlight.
On the other hand, autumn and winter have less daylight hours which results in lower energy production - about 1.94kWh/day in Autumn and even lesser at 0.90kWh/day during Winter per kW of installed solar panel capacity.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting them towards south at an angle of 45 degrees is considered ideal to get maximum total yearly output from your panels because it allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible all through the year.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your panels like weather conditions or environmental issues. For instance:
- Wigan experiences considerable cloud cover throughout most parts of the year which could limit direct sun exposure on your panels.
- Snowfall during winter months might cover up your panels reducing their efficiency.
- Dust or bird droppings can also accumulate over time on your panels affecting their performance.
To overcome these issues:
- Regular cleaning and maintenance should be done especially after heavy snowfall or dust storms.
- You might consider installing mechanisms to tilt or move your panels so they always face directly towards sun irrespective of season (although this would increase costs).
In conclusion: While Wigan's location isn't perfect for generating solar power all year round due its shorter daylight hours in autumn/winter; it still offers decent potential particularly during summer/spring provided you take care of the local factors mentioned above.
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 Wigan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 53.5528, Longitude: -2.6252 (Wigan, 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 Wigan, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wigan, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 53.5528, -2.6252) 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 Wigan, 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 Wigan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 67° South in Winter | 45° 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 Wigan, 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 Wigan, 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 Wigan, United Kingdom
Wigan is located in the Greater Manchester area of the United Kingdom. Its topography is characterized by rolling hills, with some flat and low-lying areas. The highest point in Wigan is at Billinge Hill, which stands at 179 meters above sea level.
The terrain around Wigan includes a mix of urban areas, agricultural lands, and semi-natural habitats including woods and grasslands. There are also several bodies of water nearby such as the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and relatively flat terrains are ideal to maximize sun exposure throughout the day. Therefore, unused agricultural lands or brownfield sites within or near Wigan could potentially be suitable for this purpose.
However, it's important to consider other factors beyond just topography when planning for large-scale solar projects. These include local climate (amount of sunlight), proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, potential environmental impacts (e.g., effects on wildlife or natural habitats), land use regulations among others.
Therefore any decision about installing large scale solar PV would require thorough feasibility studies including site surveys and consultations with local authorities among other things.
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 25th of June 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.
