Solar PV Analysis of Yeovil, United Kingdom
The location at Yeovil, England, United Kingdom, is moderately suitable for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The amount of electricity that can be generated varies throughout the year due to changes in weather and sunlight intensity. In simpler terms, a solar panel will produce more power when it gets more sunlight.
In summer and spring, the panels would generate quite a lot of electricity - 5.42 kilowatt-hours per day per kilowatt of installed solar in summer and 4.54 kWh/day/kW in spring. These are the best times to generate solar energy at this location because these seasons have longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
Autumn sees a drop in production to about 2.31 kWh/day/kW due to shorter days and less intense sunlight; while winter produces the least amount of power with only around 1.05 kWh/day/kW because there's not much sunshine during this season.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, they should ideally be tilted towards south at an angle of about 43 degrees from horizontal level - this helps them catch as much sunshine as possible over different seasons.
There could be some local factors that might affect how well your solar panels work here though:
- Weather: Yeovil experiences significant rainfall throughout the year which could reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
- Obstructions: Buildings or trees may block sunlight from reaching your panels depending on where they're placed.
- Air Pollution/Dust: This can accumulate on your panel surfaces over time reducing their efficiency unless regularly cleaned.
Preventive measures include:
- Regular cleaning/maintenance ensures dust or snow doesn't block light from reaching your panel surfaces.
- Strategic placement/installation can help avoid obstructions like buildings or trees casting shadows on your panels.
Remember though that even with these potential challenges, you'll still generate some electricity all year round thanks to UK's Northern Temperate climate. It might not be as much as in sunnier countries, but it can still help reduce your dependence on grid electricity and lower your carbon footprint.
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 754 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 Yeovil
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.0032, Longitude: -2.6293 (Yeovil, 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 43° South in Yeovil, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yeovil, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.0032, -2.6293) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 43° 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 Yeovil, 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 Yeovil, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 43° 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 | 64° 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 Yeovil, 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 Yeovil, 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 Yeovil, United Kingdom
Yeovil is located in the county of Somerset, South West England. The topography around Yeovil is largely undulating with a mix of flat and hilly areas. It's surrounded by rolling countryside and farmlands, interspersed with small woods and water bodies.
The highest point in the area is Ham Hill which rises to 417 feet (127 meters) above sea level. The town itself sits at an average elevation of about 75 meters above sea level.
Large-scale solar PV would be most suited to flat or gently sloping areas that are south-facing for maximum sunlight exposure. Ideally, these areas should also be relatively free from obstructions like tall buildings or trees that could cast shadows on the panels.
Given this criteria, some suitable locations for large-scale solar PV around Yeovil might include:
1. Flat agricultural lands surrounding Yeovil: These open spaces offer ample room for setting up large arrays of solar panels.
2. Industrial zones on the outskirts: Some industrial zones may have large rooftops or unused land where solar panels can be installed.
3. Unused land near transportation infrastructure like highways and railways: These lands are often less likely to be developed for other purposes due to noise considerations, making them potentially suitable sites for solar farms.
It's important to note that any plans for installing large-scale solar PV would need careful evaluation considering factors such as local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments and grid connectivity among others.
Finally, while Somerset enjoys a reasonable amount of sunshine compared to many parts of UK (around 1600 hours per year), it still falls significantly short when compared with sunnier parts across the globe which means efficiency levels will not match those seen in more optimal climates such as Spain or California etc., but it doesn't mean they cannot provide a viable renewable energy source within this region.
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: 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.
