Solar PV Analysis of Witney, United Kingdom
The location of Witney, England, United Kingdom is somewhat suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies greatly depending on the season. In simple terms, a solar panel installation in this area would produce more electricity in summer and spring than it would in autumn and winter.
In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar could generate around 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. This means that if you had a 1 kW solar panel system installed at your home or business in Witney, England, you could expect to generate about 5 kWh of power every sunny day during the summer months.
Spring also offers decent production with around 4.36 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity - slightly less than what's produced during the summer but still quite good.
However, as we move into autumn and winter, this amount drops significantly due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. During autumn you can expect about 2.31 kWh/day per kW while in winter it drops even further to only about 1.07 kWh/day per kW.
To maximize your year-round solar energy production at this location, it is recommended that panels are tilted at an angle facing south by approximately 44 degrees from horizontal level.
There may be some local factors that could impact your ability to generate maximum possible power from your panels such as weather conditions like heavy fog or cloud cover which are common in UK winters or potential obstructions like tall buildings or trees blocking sunlight from reaching your panels directly especially early morning or late afternoon when sun is low on horizon.
To mitigate these issues make sure there are no obstructions blocking direct sunlight onto panels especially during peak sunshine hours i.e., midday; consider installing tracking systems which allow panels to follow sun’s path across sky maximizing exposure; ensure regular maintenance so dust/other debris does not accumulate reducing efficiency; consider battery storage system for storing excess power produced during sunny periods for use during cloudy days or nights.
In conclusion, while Witney is not the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its variable weather conditions and shorter daylight hours in winter, with proper installation and maintenance, it can still be a viable source of renewable energy throughout the year.
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 763 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 Witney
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.7822, Longitude: -1.4851 (Witney, 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 Witney, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Witney, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.7822, -1.4851) 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 Witney, 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 Witney, 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 Witney, 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 Witney, 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 Witney, United Kingdom
Witney is located in Oxfordshire, England. The topography around Witney is characterized by gently rolling hills and flat plains. It's a part of the Thames Valley which is known for its fertile lands and mild climate.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as sunlight exposure, land availability, local regulations and proximity to power grids are important. In terms of geographical suitability, areas with relatively flat terrain would be best suited for large-scale solar PV due to ease of installation and maintenance.
In this context, the plains around Witney could be suitable for such installations given their open spaces and relative lack of obstructions (such as tall buildings or trees) that might block sunlight. Areas towards the south or southeast would theoretically receive more sunlight due to their orientation towards the sun.
However, it's important to note that these assessments are purely based on geographical considerations. Other factors like local planning laws, environmental impact assessments and grid connection feasibility will also play a significant role in determining whether an area is truly suitable for large scale solar PV projects.
For a detailed assessment and feasibility study about installing a large-scale solar farm near Witney or anywhere else in Oxfordshire region you should consult with renewable energy experts or agencies specializing in such projects locally.
Remember that while UK may not have as much sunshine as some other countries but it still has enough to make Solar PV viable especially combined with government incentives designed to promote renewable energy generation.
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 April 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.
