Hexham, a town in Northumberland, England, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 54.9935, -2.1189, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Hexham fluctuates dramatically throughout the year. Summer months offer the best conditions, with an average daily output of 5.24kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, yielding 4.26kWh/day. However, autumn and winter see a sharp decline in solar energy generation, with outputs of 1.83kWh/day and 0.86kWh/day respectively.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The period from late spring through early autumn provides the most favorable conditions for solar energy production in Hexham. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. Conversely, the winter months, particularly December and January, offer minimal solar potential due to shorter days and lower sun angles.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Hexham, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 46 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the seasonal variations in sun position.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impact solar energy production in Hexham:

1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Rainfall: Hexham's climate includes regular precipitation, which can temporarily decrease panel output.
3. Short winter days: The town's northern latitude results in very short days during winter months, limiting solar generation potential.

Mitigation Strategies

To maximize solar energy production in Hexham, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris
• Consider incorporating energy storage solutions to balance the seasonal variations in energy production
• Explore the use of solar tracking systems to increase energy capture, especially during the limited daylight hours of winter

While Hexham's location presents challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology choices can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, particularly during the more favorable months of the year.

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 Hexham

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.9935, Longitude: -2.1189 (Hexham, 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 Hexham, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hexham, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.9935, -2.1189) 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 Hexham, 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 Hexham, 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
39° 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 Hexham, 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 Hexham, 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 Hexham, United Kingdom

The topography around Hexham, United Kingdom, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape. Situated in the county of Northumberland, Hexham is nestled in the Tyne Valley, with the River Tyne flowing through the area. The town itself is surrounded by gently rolling hills and open countryside, typical of the North Pennines region. To the north and west of Hexham, the terrain becomes more rugged and elevated as it transitions into the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This area features a mix of moorland, heather-covered hills, and steep valleys. The landscape is dotted with small streams and rivers that eventually feed into the Tyne. South of Hexham, the land gradually rises towards the Durham Dales, with a patchwork of fields, woodlands, and small villages spread across the undulating terrain. To the east, the landscape becomes flatter as it approaches the coastal plains of Northumberland.

Solar PV Potential

When considering areas near Hexham for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors must be taken into account. The most suitable locations would generally be: The flatter areas to the east of Hexham, extending towards the coast, offer the best potential for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas typically receive more direct sunlight due to their open aspect and lack of significant elevation changes. The relatively flat terrain also makes construction and maintenance easier. South-facing slopes in the surrounding hills could also be suitable for solar PV, as they would receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. However, care must be taken to avoid areas of significant natural beauty or ecological importance. It's important to note that while the topography around Hexham offers some potential for solar PV, the region's northern latitude means it receives less overall sunlight compared to more southern parts of the UK. Additionally, any large-scale solar installations would need to be carefully planned to minimize impact on the area's scenic beauty and agricultural land use. Ultimately, detailed site surveys and environmental impact assessments would be necessary to determine the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar PV projects in the vicinity of Hexham.

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

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.