Solar PV Analysis of Wimbledon, United Kingdom
In simple terms, the location at Wimbledon, England, UK is okay for generating electricity using solar panels throughout the year, but it's not perfect. During summer and spring, you can expect to generate a good amount of energy with around 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.36 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt of solar panels installed. However, during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to about 2.31 kWh/day and 1.07 kWh/day respectively.
This means that the best times of year to generate solar power at this location are during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer when there is more sunlight available for your panels to convert into electricity.
To get as much energy as possible from your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 44 degrees facing south.
As for factors that could affect how much energy you can produce with your solar panels in Wimbledon; weather is a big one since it's located in a region where clouds and rain are common which can block sunlight from reaching your panels. This would be especially true during autumn and winter months when cloud cover tends to increase.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular maintenance such as cleaning will make sure that dirt or debris doesn't build up on your panels blocking light.
2) If possible consider installing tracking mounts that follow sun’s path across sky so even if sun isn’t directly overhead (which happens often due to UK’s latitude), maximum sunlight still reaches them.
3) Install high-efficiency panel models designed specifically for cloudy climates which work better under diffused light conditions than standard ones do.
4) Consider adding battery storage system so excess power generated on sunny days isn’t wasted but stored instead for use on cloudier days or during night-time hours when no generation occurs.
Remember though while these measures might help, they won't completely eliminate the challenges posed by Wimbledon's climate.
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 Wimbledon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.418, Longitude: -0.1752 (Wimbledon, 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 Wimbledon, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wimbledon, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.418, -0.1752) 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 Wimbledon, 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 Wimbledon, 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 | 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 Wimbledon, 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 Wimbledon, 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 Wimbledon, United Kingdom
Wimbledon, United Kingdom is located in the southwest region of London. The topography is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. Wimbledon Common, a large open space in Wimbledon, is known for its undulating landscape with some hills and valleys.
The area also includes built-up residential areas, commercial districts and several parks. The River Wandle runs to the east of Wimbledon adding to its geographical features.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces with maximum sun exposure are generally considered ideal. Given this criterion, potential locations could include:
1) Large industrial or commercial rooftops: These can accommodate significant solar panel installations without requiring any additional land use changes.
2) Unused or underutilized lands: If there are such areas available within or around Wimbledon that receive good sunlight throughout the year, they would be suitable for setting up solar farms.
3) Brownfield sites: Former industrial sites that have been cleared could also be used for this purpose if they meet the necessary requirements.
However, it's important to note that feasibility would depend on multiple factors beyond just topography - these include sunlight availability (solar irradiance), local planning regulations and policies related to renewable energy installation etc.
A detailed site analysis including assessment of environmental impact would be required before determining suitability for large-scale solar PV projects in any given location.
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: Thursday 13th 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.
