Jarrow, a town in North East England, presents a mixed landscape for solar energy generation. Located in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences significant seasonal variations in solar potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 4.93 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.20 kWh/day. However, the output drops dramatically during autumn (1.88 kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (0.82 kWh/day).

This stark contrast between seasons means that solar energy production in Jarrow is heavily skewed towards the warmer months. From late spring through early autumn, solar panels can operate at their peak efficiency, making it an ideal time for energy generation and storage.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Jarrow, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 46-degree angle facing south. This tilt helps optimize energy capture across all seasons, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Challenges and Solutions

Jarrow's location presents several challenges for solar energy production:

1. Limited winter sunlight: The area experiences short days and low sun angles during winter, significantly reducing solar output.
2. Cloud cover: The North East of England is known for its frequent overcast conditions, which can diminish solar panel efficiency.
3. Rainfall: Regular precipitation can reduce panel effectiveness if not properly managed.

To mitigate these issues, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris
• Consider a hybrid system with wind energy to complement solar during less sunny periods

While Jarrow's location poses some challenges for year-round solar energy production, proper installation techniques and technology choices can still make solar PV a viable option for supplementing energy needs, especially 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 Jarrow

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.9874, Longitude: -1.4833 (Jarrow, 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 Jarrow, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jarrow, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.9874, -1.4833) 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 Jarrow, 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 Jarrow, 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 Jarrow, 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 Jarrow, 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 Jarrow, United Kingdom

The topography around Jarrow, United Kingdom, is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying coastal plains. Situated on the south bank of the River Tyne in Tyne and Wear, Jarrow is part of a larger urban area that includes Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. The landscape is a mix of built-up areas, open fields, and scattered woodlands. To the north of Jarrow, the River Tyne dominates the landscape, with its wide estuary flowing eastward towards the North Sea. The river valley creates a relatively flat area along its banks, which gradually rises into gentle slopes as you move away from the water. South of Jarrow, the terrain becomes slightly more undulating, with small hills and shallow valleys creating a patchwork of fields and urban developments. The coastline to the east of Jarrow features sandy beaches and low cliffs, typical of the North East England shoreline. This area transitions into the North Sea, with the flat expanse of water stretching to the horizon. Inland, to the west and southwest, the land gradually rises, forming part of the Pennine foothills in the distance.

Potential Areas 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 ideal locations would have relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good exposure to sunlight, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. The open agricultural lands to the south and southwest of Jarrow present promising opportunities for solar development. These areas often feature larger, unobstructed fields that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. The slightly elevated terrain in this direction may also provide an advantage in terms of solar exposure. Another potential area for solar PV installations could be the reclaimed industrial sites along the River Tyne. These brownfield locations often offer large, flat surfaces that are well-suited for solar panels. However, care must be taken to ensure that these sites are properly remediated and structurally sound. Coastal areas to the east of Jarrow, while potentially suitable in terms of available space and sunlight, may face challenges due to salt spray and coastal weather conditions. These factors could impact the longevity and efficiency of solar installations. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local planning regulations. The proximity to urban areas and the historical significance of some locations around Jarrow may also influence the feasibility of such developments.

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.