Haddington, Scotland, United Kingdom, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. The location's seasonal variations in solar output highlight the significant differences between summer and winter production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.07 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.06 kWh/day. However, the colder months see a dramatic decline in energy production. Autumn yields only 1.72 kWh/day, while winter performance drops to a mere 0.78 kWh/day per kW installed.

These figures underscore the significant seasonal disparities in solar energy generation at this location. The long summer days in Haddington provide excellent conditions for solar power, making it an ideal time for energy production. Spring also offers good potential, with increasing daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Haddington, Scotland, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 47 degrees facing South. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Haddington:

• Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar irradiance.
• Short winter days: Being relatively far north, Haddington has limited daylight hours during winter months, significantly impacting solar generation.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

1. Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions.
2. Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, which can be more prevalent in wetter months.
3. Consider a hybrid system with wind energy to complement solar during less productive periods.

While Haddington's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable option, particularly during the more productive spring and summer months.

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 Haddington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.919, Longitude: -2.7552 (Haddington, 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 Haddington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Haddington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.919, -2.7552) 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 Haddington, 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 Haddington, 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 Haddington, 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 Haddington, 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 Haddington, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Haddington, a town in East Lothian, Scotland, is characterized by gently rolling lowlands typical of the region. Situated in the fertile valley of the River Tyne, Haddington is nestled within a landscape that gradually transitions from the coastal plains to the east towards the foothills of the Lammermuir Hills to the south. The immediate vicinity of Haddington features a mix of agricultural fields, small wooded areas, and scattered settlements. The terrain is predominantly flat to mildly undulating, with elevations generally ranging from 30 to 100 meters above sea level. This relatively level topography is punctuated by occasional low hills and shallow valleys carved by the River Tyne and its tributaries. As one moves south from Haddington, the land begins to rise more noticeably towards the Lammermuir Hills. These hills, while not particularly high by Scottish standards, provide a scenic backdrop to the town and surrounding countryside. The highest points in the Lammermuirs reach around 500 meters above sea level, offering a stark contrast to the lowlands around Haddington.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The gently sloping farmland to the north and east of Haddington presents promising opportunities for solar development. These areas benefit from relatively flat terrain, which simplifies construction and maximizes sun exposure throughout the day. The agricultural lands between Haddington and the coast, stretching towards Dunbar and North Berwick, could be particularly suitable. This region experiences less shadowing from hills and generally has good solar irradiance levels for the latitude. Additionally, the existing grid infrastructure in this more populated area could facilitate easier connection of large-scale solar projects. However, it's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as land use, environmental designations, and local planning policies would need to be carefully considered. The fertile agricultural land around Haddington is highly valued, which could present challenges for large-scale solar development. Areas to the south, closer to the Lammermuir Hills, might be less suitable due to increased shadowing and more complex terrain. However, some of the lower slopes and plateaus within the hills could potentially accommodate solar installations, provided they don't conflict with other land uses or environmental protections. In conclusion, while the topography around Haddington is generally favorable for solar PV, the most suitable areas would likely be the gently sloping agricultural lands to the north and east of the town, balancing good solar exposure with practical development considerations.

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.