[Petrochemicals (OP)]

This graph says winter is poor for solar, yet is this measured at 90 degrees from the level ?
Variation of Light Energy with Month.jpg (151.06 kB . 1013x819 - viewed 1242 times)

[alancalverd]

But the question remains, is solar in the winter seasons effective ?

No. That's why it's called winter. Like it's cold and the days are short. If you go far enough north or south, the sun doesn't shine at all for 6 months.

[Bored chemist]

If you go far enough north or south, the sun doesn't shine at all for 6 months.

The thread is about the UK
You certainly get less sunshine in winter.
But that sunshine (and the energy it brigs) are more valuable to people.

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

But the question remains, is solar in the winter seasons effective ?

No. That's why it's called winter. Like it's cold and the days are short. If you go far enough north or south, the sun doesn't shine at all for 6 months.

I think by way of trigonometry and sun angles, a 90 degree vertically mounted square meter has almost a 4 times greater effective surface area than a panel mounted at the UK average of 35. Sun angle midsummer is 60 where as midwinter is 15.

[alancalverd]

But midwinter daylight hours are about a quarter of midsummer, so even assuming no cloud or fog, the yield would be (a) small and (b) at the least useful time.

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

But midwinter daylight hours are about a quarter of midsummer, so even assuming no cloud or fog, the yield would be (a) small and (b) at the least useful time.

7 hours 49 minutes on midwinter, 16 hours 39 midsummer. The arc of the sun is considerably lower in winter, but given solar panel orientation is the ruling factor and the optimum operation window is when the sun is at the tangent, the difference should be far smaller, especially if vertically mounted.

[alancalverd]

Depends where you are, of course. Lerwick has 6 hours in winter, 18 hours in summer.

Vertical panel less efficient in summer!

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

Depends where you are, of course. Lerwick has 6 hours in winter, 18 hours in summer.

Vertical panel less efficient in summer!

Yep but more consistent over the course of a year, as I've said. The weather is one factor, more cloud in winter. sunlight also has to last through a greater amount of atmosphere on account of the angle.

[alancalverd]

So you admit that solar energy is pretty useless in winter. Which is why those whose living depends on it, set their p[anels at an optimum angle that is not 90 degrees.

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

So you admit that solar energy is pretty useless in winter. Which is why those whose living depends on it, set their p[anels at an optimum angle that is not 90 degrees.

Not admit but it does appear to be a hopeless task. From the good old fashioned engineering toolbox.
solar-radiation-diagram-30degN.png (17.65 kB . 476x386 - viewed 1082 times)

This is at 30 degrees from the equator.


solar-radiation-diagram-60degN.png (18.77 kB . 476x386 - viewed 1046 times)

This is at 60.

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/surface-solar-radiation-d_1213.html

[evan_au]

From these graphs, it appears better to live at 30° latitude, rather than 60°.
- I live at 34°S
- And I commonly holiday at 28°S

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

From these graphs, it appears better to live at 30° latitude, rather than 60°.
- I live at 34°S
- And I commonly holiday at 28°S

I believe it's 30 degrees north from the equator, not the classical latitude, the link also has a graph from the equator.

[Petrochemicals (OP)]

In winter the cold days are the sunny days, where as in summer the sunny days are all hotter.