Solar PV Analysis of Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom, has varying potential for generating solar energy throughout the year. During summer and spring, it's pretty good for getting electricity from solar panels. Specifically, in summer you can expect about 5.27 units of electricity per day for each unit of solar panel you have installed (kWh/day per kW), and in spring it's about 4.42 kWh/day per kW.
However, in autumn and winter the amount of electricity that can be generated drops significantly because there are fewer hours of sunlight and the sun is lower in the sky. In autumn you'd get about 2.14 kWh/day per kW and in winter only around 1.01 kWh/day per kW.
So if you're thinking about installing solar panels here, they will work best during spring to summer months when Wolverhampton receives more sunlight.
The ideal angle to install your solar panels at this location would be tilted 44 degrees towards south - this allows them to catch as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect how well your solar panels work here: Wolverhampton does experience some cloudy days which could reduce how much energy your panels produce since less sunlight would reach them on these days. It also gets quite cold during winter months which might make installation more difficult but won't necessarily impact their performance once they're up and running.
To tackle these issues: You could consider having a back-up power source or battery storage system for those cloudier days when your panels aren't producing as much energy; cleaning your panels regularly will also help ensure they're working at their best; finally making sure they’re installed correctly (and ideally by professionals) will mean they are better prepared to withstand any harsh weather conditions.
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 756 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 Wolverhampton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.5794, Longitude: -2.0861 (Wolverhampton, 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 Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.5794, -2.0861) 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 Wolverhampton, 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 Wolverhampton, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36° South in Summer | 56° South in Autumn | 66° 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 Wolverhampton, 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 Wolverhampton, 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 Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
Wolverhampton is located in the West Midlands region of England, United Kingdom. The topography around Wolverhampton is relatively flat with gentle undulations. It sits on a plateau to the north and west of Birmingham, with the land gradually sloping down towards the River Severn to its southwest.
The area does not have any significant hills or mountains which might obstruct sunlight. However, it's important to note that Wolverhampton experiences a temperate maritime climate like much of the British Isles, characterized by relatively cool summers and mild winters. Therefore, while there are no major topographical restrictions for large-scale solar PV installations in this area, climatic factors should be considered.
Large scale solar PV projects would likely be most suited to areas outside of Wolverhampton city center where there is more open space available for installation without causing disruption or requiring high levels of land clearance. Possible locations could include agricultural lands or former industrial sites where redevelopment is possible.
In terms of specific nearby areas that may be suitable for large-scale solar PV:
1) South Staffordshire - This district lies directly north and west of Wolverhampton and consists largely of rural farmland which could potentially accommodate large-scale solar farms.
2) Walsall - To the east of Wolverhampton, this borough has several brownfield sites (previously developed land now vacant) which could be suitable for redevelopment into solar farms.
3) Dudley - Located southeast from Wolverhampton; again it has potential sites especially on its outskirts away from residential zones.
However, each site would need detailed assessment considering various aspects including local planning regulations/environmental constraints alongside technical feasibility studies before deciding upon their suitability for large-scale Solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 27th 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.
