Bedlington, England, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. This location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, which can impact the overall efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Bedlington varies considerably throughout the year. Summer is the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.28kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.53kWh/day. However, there's a sharp decline in production during autumn (1.82kWh/day) and winter (0.74kWh/day).

These figures indicate that Bedlington's solar potential is heavily skewed towards the warmer months. The long summer days in this northern latitude contribute significantly to the high summer output. Conversely, the short winter days and typically overcast conditions lead to minimal production during the colder months.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Bedlington, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 46 degrees facing south. This angle is optimized to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Bedlington:

• Cloud cover: The region is known for frequent overcast conditions, especially in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Rainfall: Bedlington experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can affect panel efficiency.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, which can accumulate due to frequent rainfall.
• Consider a solar tracking system to maximize energy capture, especially during the productive summer months.

While Bedlington's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable option, particularly during the spring and summer months.

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 Bedlington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.1312, Longitude: -1.5887 (Bedlington, 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 46° South in Bedlington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bedlington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.1312, -1.5887) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 46° 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 Bedlington, 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 Bedlington, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 46° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
38° South in Summer	58° South in Autumn	68° South in Winter	47° 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 Bedlington, 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 Bedlington, 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 Bedlington, United Kingdom

Bedlington, located in Northumberland, England, sits in a gently undulating landscape typical of the region. The town itself is situated on a modest hill, with the surrounding area characterized by rolling countryside and shallow valleys. The terrain gradually slopes downwards towards the North Sea coast, which lies approximately 5 miles to the east. The topography around Bedlington is primarily composed of low-lying hills and open fields, interspersed with patches of woodland and small streams. To the north and west, the land rises slightly, forming a series of low ridges and plateaus. These elevated areas offer panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the distant coastline.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Bedlington, several factors come into play. The ideal sites would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good exposure to sunlight, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. One promising area for solar PV development lies to the south and southeast of Bedlington. This region features expansive agricultural fields with few obstructions, providing ample space for solar arrays. The gentle slopes in this direction also offer favorable angles for capturing sunlight throughout the day. Another potential location for solar installations can be found to the west of Bedlington, where there are open areas of farmland with minimal tree cover. These spaces could accommodate large-scale solar projects while having a relatively low impact on the visual landscape. It's worth noting that while the immediate vicinity of Bedlington offers some suitable sites for solar PV, the region's northerly latitude means that solar irradiance is generally lower compared to more southern parts of the UK. This factor should be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar developments in the area. Any proposed solar projects would need to undergo thorough environmental and planning assessments to ensure they align with local regulations and minimize impact on the surrounding landscape and communities. Additionally, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure and grid connection points would be crucial considerations in determining the most viable locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Bedlington.

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.