Billingham, a town in the North East of England, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar installations throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Billingham follows a predictable pattern aligned with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 4.93kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.20kWh/day. However, the colder months see a dramatic decrease in energy production, with autumn yielding 1.88kWh/day and winter dropping to a mere 0.82kWh/day.

This stark contrast between seasons highlights the challenges of relying solely on solar energy in this location. While the longer, sunnier days of spring and summer offer excellent energy generation potential, the shorter, often overcast days of autumn and winter significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Billingham, panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 46 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impede solar production in Billingham:

1. Cloud cover: The North East of England is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Billingham experiences considerable rainfall throughout the year, which can temporarily decrease panel output.
3. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter months, limiting the amount of sunlight available for energy production.

To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a solar panel cleaning system to combat the effects of rainfall and potential dust accumulation.
• Incorporate energy storage solutions to balance out the seasonal variations in energy production.

While Billingham's location presents some challenges for solar PV energy generation, proper installation techniques and technology choices can help maximize the potential of solar power in this area. The significant energy production during spring and summer months can offset the lower output during autumn and winter, making solar a viable option for supplementing energy needs throughout the year.

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 911 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 Billingham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.5896, Longitude: -1.2891 (Billingham, 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 Billingham, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Billingham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.5896, -1.2891) 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 Billingham, 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 Billingham, 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	57° South in Autumn	67° South in Winter	46° 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 Billingham, 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 Billingham, 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 Billingham, United Kingdom

Billingham, located in the northeast of England, sits within the Tees Valley region. The topography of the area surrounding Billingham is characterized by a mix of gently rolling lowlands and flat terrain. The town itself is situated on relatively level ground, with a slight incline towards the north. To the north and west of Billingham, the landscape gradually rises into low hills, forming part of the Durham plateau. These hills are generally smooth and rounded, with gentle slopes rather than steep inclines. This area is predominantly rural, with a patchwork of fields and small woodlands. Towards the south and east, the terrain becomes increasingly flat as it approaches the River Tees estuary. This low-lying area includes expanses of reclaimed marshland and industrial zones. The nearby town of Middlesbrough, just a few miles to the southeast, shares this flat topography.

Potential for Solar PV

When considering areas near Billingham for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping hills to the north and west of Billingham could potentially be suitable locations. These areas benefit from a southerly aspect, which is ideal for maximizing solar exposure throughout the day. The gradual incline of the land also helps to reduce shading between solar panels. The flat expanses to the south and east, particularly the reclaimed land near the Tees estuary, might also be considered for solar farms. These areas offer large, unobstructed spaces that could accommodate extensive arrays of solar panels. However, potential flooding risks in these low-lying areas would need to be carefully assessed. It's important to note that while the topography around Billingham offers some promising locations for solar PV, other factors such as local planning regulations, grid connection availability, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most suitable sites. Additionally, the relatively northern latitude of Billingham means that careful planning would be required to optimize solar energy capture throughout the year, particularly during the shorter winter days.

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.