Ystalyfera, a village in Wales, United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Ystalyfera, with an average daily output of 5.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.48 kWh per day. These seasons offer the best conditions for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a significant drop in solar output, producing only 2.25 kWh per day. Winter performance is even more limited, with a mere 1.01 kWh daily output per kW installed. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in this location year-round.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize solar energy capture throughout the year, fixed solar panels in Ystalyfera should be tilted at a 44-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to balance the varying solar elevations across seasons, ensuring the best possible year-round performance.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Ystalyfera: 1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar irradiance. 2. Rainfall: With above-average precipitation, rain can decrease panel efficiency and increase the need for cleaning. 3. Short winter days: The location's latitude results in significantly reduced daylight hours during winter months. To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures: - Install high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions. - Implement a regular cleaning schedule to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris. - Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading. - Consider a hybrid system combining solar with other renewable sources to ensure consistent energy supply year-round. While Ystalyfera's location presents some challenges for solar energy production, particularly in winter, the strong performance during spring and summer months makes it a viable option with proper planning and system design.

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 Ystalyfera

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.7643, Longitude: -3.7689 (Ystalyfera, 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 Ystalyfera, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ystalyfera, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 51.7643, -3.7689) 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 Ystalyfera, 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 Ystalyfera, 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 Ystalyfera, 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 Ystalyfera, United Kingdom.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Ystalyfera, United Kingdom

The area around Ystalyfera, located in South Wales, United Kingdom, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. Situated in the Swansea Valley, Ystalyfera is surrounded by rolling hills and steep-sided valleys typical of the Welsh landscape. The terrain is predominantly hilly, with elevations ranging from around 50 meters above sea level in the valley floor to over 300 meters on the surrounding hillsides. To the west and northwest of Ystalyfera, the land rises sharply to form the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. This area is marked by rugged, mountainous terrain with exposed ridges and deep, glacially carved valleys. The nearby peaks of the Black Mountain range dominate the skyline, offering dramatic views and challenging hiking opportunities. East of Ystalyfera, the landscape becomes slightly gentler, with more rounded hills and broader valleys. This area is part of the South Wales Coalfield and bears the hallmarks of its industrial past, including remnants of old mining operations and reclaimed land. The River Tawe flows through the valley, carving a path southwards towards Swansea Bay. The river and its tributaries have shaped the local topography, creating steep-sided gorges in places and wider, flatter areas in others where alluvial deposits have accumulated over time.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors must be taken into account. The hilly nature of the region presents both challenges and opportunities for solar energy development. The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found on the gentler slopes and flatter areas to the east and southeast of Ystalyfera. These locations offer more consistent sun exposure throughout the day and would require less extensive earthworks for installation. Former industrial sites or reclaimed mining areas could be particularly suitable, as they often provide large, open spaces with minimal ecological impact. South-facing slopes in the surrounding hills could also be potential sites for solar farms, as they would receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas of high ecological or scenic value, particularly those close to or within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The valley floor, while relatively flat, may not be ideal due to potential shading from surrounding hills and the risk of flooding near the River Tawe. Additionally, these areas are often used for agriculture or are close to residential zones, which could limit the available space for large-scale installations. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in this area would need to carefully consider the impact on the local landscape, wildlife habitats, and community views. Proper environmental assessments and community consultations would be essential before proceeding with any significant solar energy projects in this scenic and ecologically sensitive 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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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.