The location at Darlington, England, United Kingdom, is moderately ideal for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This means that it's pretty good for using solar panels to create electricity, but it's not the best place in the world for it.
During summer and spring, you can expect a decent amount of electricity from your solar panels - about 4.99 kilowatt-hours per day per kilowatt of installed solar in summer and 4.28 kWh/day/kW in spring. This is when the sun shines longer and brighter so more sunlight can be converted into electricity.
However during autumn and winter, the output drops significantly to 1.94 kWh/day/kW and 0.86 kWh/day/kW respectively because there are fewer hours of daylight and often cloudier weather which reduces how much sunlight reaches your panels.
If you're installing fixed-panel solar PVs here, tilting them at an angle of 46 degrees towards the south would give you maximum year-round production as this position captures most sunlight over different times of the year.
There could be some local factors that might affect how well your system works though:
One issue could be changeable British weather with frequent rain or cloudy days which block out sunlight reducing power generation especially during autumn/winter months.
Another factor could be any tall buildings or trees near your installation that cast shadows on your panels; even a small shadow can greatly reduce their efficiency.
To overcome these issues:
You may want to consider using higher-efficiency panels which work better under less-than-ideal light conditions like clouds or low light levels during winter months.
Also ensure nothing blocks direct sunlight reaching your panel by either choosing a clear site initially or trimming back any vegetation/trees casting shadows on them regularly.
Remember though while these measures help improve performance they won't completely eliminate seasonal variations due to less daylight hours/less intense sunshine during certain times of year – something you can't really change.
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 761 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 Darlington
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.5245, Longitude: -1.551 (Darlington, 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 Darlington, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Darlington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.5245, -1.551) 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 Darlington, 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 Darlington, 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 | 68° 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 Darlington, 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 Darlington, 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 Darlington, United Kingdom
Darlington, United Kingdom is located in the northeastern part of England. The topography around Darlington is generally flat to gently rolling hills. The area is characterized by agricultural lands and urban settlements.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be the open, flat agricultural lands surrounding Darlington as they provide unobstructed access to sunlight. These include areas such as Barmpton, Great Burdon, and Middleton St George which are all close to Darlington.
However, it's important to note that while these areas may be geographically suited for solar PV installations, other factors such as local climate conditions (sunlight hours), land use regulations and environmental considerations also play a critical role in determining the feasibility of solar projects.
For instance, despite its northern location which means less sun intensity compared to southern regions of UK (like Cornwall), North East England including Darlington still receives enough sunlight making it feasible for solar power generation. But any project would need proper planning permissions considering impact on landscape views or potential disruption on fertile farmlands or wildlife habitats.
Lastly, rooftop installations within the urban area could also be considered given that buildings can offer a significant amount of surface area for smaller scale but collectively substantial PV deployments without additional land requirements.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th of July 2024
Last Updated: Friday 12th 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.