Solar PV Analysis of Wokingham, United Kingdom
Wokingham, England, United Kingdom is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the effectiveness fluctuates with the seasons due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
Summer and spring are the best times for solar energy production. During summer, you can expect about 5.13 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. Spring produces slightly less at around 4.36 kWh/day per kW.
Autumn sees a drop in production to about 2.31 kWh/day per kW because of shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles. Winter has the lowest output at approximately 1.07 kWh/day per kW due to even shorter days and often overcast weather.
To maximize yearly power generation from your solar panels, they should be fixed at an angle facing south by 44 degrees from horizontal level. This position optimizes exposure to sunlight across all seasons.
In terms of environmental or local factors that could affect solar production in Wokingham, England, cloudy weather is likely the most significant issue as it reduces sunlight reaching your panels – particularly during winter months when cloud cover tends to be heavier.
Preventative measures include installing more efficient types of panels that perform better under low-light conditions or using tracking systems that allow your panels to follow the sun's path throughout the day for maximum exposure; however these solutions can increase costs significantly so careful financial assessment would be needed before proceeding with such options.
Another approach could involve regular cleaning maintenance schedule for your panels since dust or debris build-up can also reduce their effectiveness - this wouldn't necessarily prevent issues caused by local environment but it will help ensure greater energy production overall.
Lastly, while Wokingham does not experience extreme weather conditions frequently - if you live in an area prone to high winds or heavy snowfall then additional precautions may need taken during installation such as strengthening panel mounts or positioning them in more sheltered locations to prevent damage.
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 761 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 Wokingham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.358, Longitude: -0.8521 (Wokingham, 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 Wokingham, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wokingham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.358, -0.8521) 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 Wokingham, 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 Wokingham, 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 | 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 Wokingham, 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 Wokingham, 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 Wokingham, United Kingdom
Wokingham is located in the southeast of England, in a region that is relatively flat with gentle undulations. The area features a mix of urban areas and countryside, with patches of woodland and farmland.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically most suitable as they offer maximum exposure to sunlight. In the case of Wokingham, potential locations could include unused or less productive agricultural land around the town. However, it's important to consider factors like local planning regulations and potential environmental impacts.
In addition to ground-mounted systems on open land, rooftops in urban areas can also be good sites for solar PV – especially large buildings like warehouses or commercial premises which have extensive roof space. This would be particularly applicable within Wokingham's more built-up areas.
It should be noted that while the UK isn't as sunny as some countries, it still receives enough sunlight to make solar power viable - even more so with modern panels which are efficient at converting light into electricity. Moreover, southern England (where Wokingham is located) tends to receive more sunshine than other parts of the country making it better suited for solar energy production.
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 27th of May 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.
