Gorebridge in the United Kingdom, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents moderate potential for solar PV energy generation with significant seasonal variations. This location experiences substantial differences in solar electricity production throughout the year, with performance peaking in summer months and declining considerably during winter.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar electricity output at this location shows marked seasonal patterns. During summer, panels can generate a respectable 5.07kWh per day for each kilowatt installed, making this the prime season for solar energy production. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 4.06kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

However, production drops significantly during autumn to 1.72kWh/day and reaches its lowest point in winter with just 0.78kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This winter output is approximately 15% of the summer generation capacity, highlighting the dramatic seasonal variation at this northern latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Gorebridge, Scotland, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round electricity production is 47 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize the annual solar harvest based on the location's position at 55.8346° North latitude.

Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Several environmental factors can affect solar production at this Scottish location:

• Cloud cover and rainfall are significant in this region, with Gorebridge experiencing typical Scottish weather patterns including frequent overcast conditions.
• Snow accumulation during winter months can temporarily reduce panel efficiency if allowed to build up.
• Atmospheric pollution levels, though generally lower than in major urban centers, can still affect solar irradiance.

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider these preventative measures:

• Install panels with self-cleaning properties or implement regular cleaning schedules to address rain residue and potential snow accumulation.
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers rather than string inverters to minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds.
• Ensure panels are easily accessible for maintenance, particularly snow removal during winter months.
• Select high-efficiency panels designed to perform better in diffuse light conditions common during overcast days.

While Gorebridge isn't ideal for year-round solar production compared to sunnier locations, a properly designed system can still provide meaningful energy contribution, particularly from late spring through early autumn when production levels are highest.

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 Gorebridge

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.8346, Longitude: -3.055 (Gorebridge, 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 Gorebridge, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gorebridge, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.8346, -3.055) 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 Gorebridge, 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 Gorebridge, 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 Gorebridge, 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 Gorebridge, 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 Gorebridge, United Kingdom

Topography of Gorebridge Area

Gorebridge is situated in Midlothian, Scotland, approximately 11 miles southeast of Edinburgh. The topography around Gorebridge is characterized by gently rolling hills and valleys, typical of the Scottish Lowlands. The area sits at an elevation of roughly 150-200 meters above sea level, with the landscape gradually rising to the south and east toward the Moorfoot Hills. The terrain features a mix of agricultural land, woodland patches, and open spaces. The River South Esk flows through the vicinity, carving a shallow valley that influences the local topography. The landscape bears the marks of historical mining activities, as Gorebridge was once an important coal mining center, which has left some subtle modifications to the natural contours of the land. To the west of Gorebridge, the land slopes more gently toward Edinburgh, while to the east and southeast, the terrain becomes more pronounced as it transitions toward the Moorfoot Hills, which reach heights of over 600 meters. This creates a varied topographical profile within a relatively small geographical area.

Solar PV Potential in the Surrounding Area

For large-scale solar PV installations, several factors related to topography must be considered, including slope orientation, elevation, and potential shading from surrounding features. In the Gorebridge vicinity, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would be: The south-facing slopes of the gentle hills to the north of Gorebridge offer favorable conditions for solar collection. These areas benefit from a southerly aspect that maximizes solar exposure throughout the day, particularly during winter months when the sun sits lower in the sky. The relatively flat agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Gorebridge present opportunities for large-scale installations. These areas have minimal topographical barriers that would create shading issues and offer substantial contiguous spaces that would be conducive to efficient array layouts. Former mining sites around Gorebridge that have been reclaimed could potentially serve as excellent locations for solar farms. These brownfield sites often have limited agricultural value but can be repurposed effectively for renewable energy generation, providing an environmentally positive use for previously industrial land. The gently elevated plateaus to the east, as the land begins to rise toward the Moorfoot Hills, could also be suitable as they receive good solar exposure while avoiding the more severe weather conditions of the higher elevations. However, care would need to be taken to assess the visual impact on the landscape, particularly in areas with scenic value. Areas to avoid would include the steeper north-facing slopes, heavily wooded areas, and the immediate vicinity of the River South Esk where flooding might be a concern and ecological considerations would likely limit development potential. The moderate climate of the region, with its temperate conditions, means that while solar potential is not as high as in more southerly locations, the topographical advantages of certain sites can still make solar PV installations viable and productive investments for renewable energy generation.

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.