Solar PV Analysis of Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom
The location at Bonnyrigg, Scotland, United Kingdom, which is in the Northern Temperate Zone has varying degrees of potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that how much electricity you can generate from solar power changes with each season.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate more electricity because there's more sunlight available. Specifically, in the summer months you could generate about 5.14 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. In the springtime, this decreases slightly to around 4.13 kWh/day per kW.
However, in autumn and winter when there are fewer daylight hours and often cloudier skies, your potential for generating solar energy drops significantly. In autumn it falls to around 1.78 kWh/day per kW and further still in winter down to just 0.81 kWh/day per kW.
If you're planning on installing fixed-panel solar at this location then ideally they should be tilted at an angle of 47 degrees facing southwards - that's because this will maximise their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year and therefore increase your total annual energy production.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could limit your ability to produce solar power here go; things like heavy rain or snowfall could temporarily reduce output by covering up the panels but these effects would only be short-term as long as any build-up is cleared away promptly.
Similarly high winds might potentially pose a risk if not properly accounted for during installation but again this is something that can be mitigated with careful planning – ensuring panels are securely mounted so they won't get damaged or knocked out of alignment under gusty conditions will help ensure greater consistency in your energy production no matter what time of year it is.
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 Bonnyrigg
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.8746, Longitude: -3.1033 (Bonnyrigg, 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 47° South in Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.8746, -3.1033) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 47° 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 Bonnyrigg, 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 Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 47° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39° South in Summer | 58° South in Autumn | 69° South in Winter | 48° 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 Bonnyrigg, 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 Bonnyrigg, 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 Bonnyrigg, United Kingdom
Bonnyrigg is located in the Midlothian region of Scotland, United Kingdom. The topography around Bonnyrigg is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain. It's surrounded by agricultural lands, residential areas, and patches of woodland.
The area experiences a temperate maritime climate with relatively cool summers and mild winters. While it does receive sunlight, it's not as abundant or consistent as in sunnier climates due to frequent cloud cover and shorter daylight hours during winter months.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are typically more suitable due to ease of installation and maintenance. Considering this, the agricultural lands surrounding Bonnyrigg could be potential sites for such projects. However, several factors need to be considered including land use policies, environmental impact assessments etc.
It's also important to note that while Scotland may not have the most ideal conditions for solar energy compared to other regions globally (like deserts or tropical regions), advancements in technology mean that solar panels can still generate electricity even under cloudy conditions - albeit at reduced efficiency levels compared to direct sunlight conditions.
In terms of nearby areas that might be better suited for large-scale solar PV installations considering both topography and weather patterns - perhaps locations along the eastern coast might offer slightly more favorable conditions given they tend to receive marginally less rainfall than western parts of Scotland.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 24th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
