Solar PV Analysis of Gateshead, United Kingdom
The location at Gateshead, England, United Kingdom, which is situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, has varying potential for generating energy through solar PV throughout the year. In simpler terms, how much electricity you can get from a solar panel depends on the time of year.
During summer and spring, this location receives a good amount of sunlight with an average of 4.99kWh/day and 4.28kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that these seasons are ideal for generating solar power as there is more sunlight available to be converted into electricity.
However, during autumn and winter, the amount of sunlight decreases significantly to an average of 1.94kWh/day and 0.86 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This reduction in sunlight means that less electricity can be generated from your solar panels during these times.
For a fixed panel installation at this location to get maximum year-round production from solar PV it's best to tilt panels at an angle facing 46 degrees South.
There could however be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate with your panels in Gateshead:
1) Weather: The UK is known for its cloudy weather which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels especially outside summer months.
2) Topography: If there are hills or tall buildings blocking direct sun exposure on your panels this could also limit their effectiveness.
3) Environmental Factors: Bird droppings or falling leaves may cover up parts of your panel reducing its ability to absorb light effectively.
To prevent these issues affecting performance:
1) Regularly clean off any debris on your panels so they can fully absorb all available light.
2) If possible consider installing tracking systems which allow your panels to follow the sun’s path throughout the day increasing their efficiency.
3) You might want also consider using more efficient but possibly more expensive types of photovoltaic cells if you have limited space or want to maximize energy production during the less sunny months.
In conclusion, while Gateshead isn't the sunniest place in the world, you can still generate a useful amount of solar power especially in spring and summer months with correctly installed and maintained panels.
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 Gateshead
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.9352, Longitude: -1.5675 (Gateshead, 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 Gateshead, United Kingdom
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gateshead, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.9352, -1.5675) 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 Gateshead, 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 Gateshead, 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 Gateshead, 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 Gateshead, 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 Gateshead, United Kingdom
Gateshead, United Kingdom is located in the northeastern part of the country. The topography of this region is relatively flat with some hilly areas. It's situated on the southern bank of River Tyne and has a mix of urban and rural landscapes.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play such as sunlight availability, land availability, grid connection capacity, and local planning constraints.
The rural areas around Gateshead would typically be more suited for large-scale solar PV due to more available land space. However, it's essential to note that the North East England region isn't as sunny compared to southern parts of UK like Cornwall or Kent.
In terms of specific locations near Gateshead for potential solar farms:
1) Areas around Beamish and Marley Hill: These are somewhat rural areas with potentially suitable open fields.
2) Land along A1(M): This major road has wide stretches of open land on either side which could be considered for a solar farm.
3) Derwent Valley: Although it's an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), parts that do not intrude upon sensitive landscapes could be considered.
However, all these suggestions need thorough feasibility studies including environmental impact assessments before any decisions can be made.
It should also be noted that rooftop solar panels on commercial buildings within Gateshead itself might also offer substantial capacity for renewable energy generation without requiring additional land use.
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: Friday 8th 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.
