Solar PV Analysis of Corbridge, United Kingdom
Corbridge, England, United Kingdom, situated at latitude 54.9919 and longitude -1.9929, presents a challenging location for year-round solar PV energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which greatly impact the efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Corbridge varies dramatically throughout the year. Summer months offer the highest output at 4.99 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 4.28 kWh/day. However, autumn sees a significant drop to 1.94 kWh/day, while winter experiences a severe decline to a mere 0.86 kWh/day per kW installed.
These figures indicate that Corbridge is far from ideal for year-round solar energy generation. The stark contrast between summer and winter outputs highlights the challenges faced by solar installations in this location.
Optimal Installation Angle
For fixed panel installations in Corbridge, England, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 46 degrees facing South. This angle helps to optimize solar capture during the limited productive periods, particularly in spring and summer.
Environmental and Weather Factors
Several environmental and weather factors significantly impact solar production in Corbridge:
- Limited daylight hours in winter
- Frequent cloud cover and rainfall
- Potential for snow accumulation
To mitigate these challenges, preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation. These include using high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions, installing snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow accumulation, and implementing a robust cleaning schedule to combat the effects of frequent rainfall and potential debris accumulation.
Conclusion
While Corbridge can produce substantial solar energy during summer and spring, its location is far from ideal for year-round solar PV generation. The extreme seasonal variations and challenging weather conditions make it essential to carefully plan and optimize solar installations to maximize energy production during favorable periods and mitigate the impacts of less productive seasons.
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 Corbridge
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.9919, Longitude: -1.9929 (Corbridge, 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 Corbridge, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Corbridge, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.9919, -1.9929) 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 Corbridge, 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 Corbridge, 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 Corbridge, 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 Corbridge, 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 Corbridge, United Kingdom
The topography around Corbridge, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and river valleys. Corbridge itself is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne, which flows eastward through a wide, fertile valley. The surrounding landscape is a mix of pastoral farmland, woodlands, and open countryside typical of rural Northumberland.
To the north of Corbridge, the land gradually rises towards the Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills, creating a more rugged and elevated terrain. South of the River Tyne, the landscape is generally flatter, with occasional low hills and shallow valleys. The area is dotted with small villages, farms, and historic sites, including remnants of Hadrian's Wall to the west.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play:
- South-facing slopes: Gentle hills with southern exposure would be ideal for maximizing sunlight capture throughout the day.
- Open, unobstructed land: Areas with minimal tree cover and few buildings would be preferable to avoid shading.
- Proximity to existing infrastructure: Locations near power lines and roads would facilitate easier connection to the grid and construction access.
- Land of lower agricultural value: To minimize impact on food production, areas with poorer quality soil might be more suitable.
Based on these criteria, the most promising areas for large-scale solar PV near Corbridge would likely be found in the flatter, more open landscapes to the south and southeast of the town. These areas tend to have fewer steep hills and less woodland cover, potentially offering larger contiguous spaces for solar arrays. However, it's important to note that any specific site selection would require detailed environmental and planning assessments, considering factors such as local wildlife, historical significance, and community impact.
It's worth mentioning that while the Northumberland region receives less annual sunlight compared to southern parts of the UK, advances in solar technology have made PV installations increasingly viable even in areas with moderate sunlight. The success of any large-scale solar project in this area would depend on careful site selection, efficient panel technology, and supportive local and national energy policies.
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: Monday 22nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 22nd of July 2024
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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.
