Morpeth, England, a town in Northumberland, United Kingdom, presents a challenging location for year-round solar PV energy generation. Situated at latitude 55.1667 and longitude -1.6833 in the Northern Temperate Zone, Morpeth experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar PV systems in Morpeth show stark contrasts in energy output across the seasons. Summer months are the most productive, with panels generating an average of 5.28 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, producing 4.53 kWh/day/kW. However, energy production drops dramatically during autumn and winter, with outputs of 1.82 kWh/day/kW and a mere 0.74 kWh/day/kW, respectively.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The ideal period for solar energy production in Morpeth spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. The peak generation typically occurs around the summer solstice in June, gradually decreasing as autumn approaches.

Panel Tilt Optimization

To maximize year-round solar production in Morpeth, England, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 46 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the balance between summer and winter sun exposure, considering the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Morpeth:

1. Cloud cover: The region experiences frequent overcast conditions, particularly in autumn and winter, reducing solar irradiance.
2. Rainfall: Morpeth's climate includes substantial rainfall, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
3. Short winter days: The high latitude results in very short days during winter, severely limiting solar generation potential.

Mitigating Measures

To enhance solar energy production despite these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels designed for low-light conditions
• Install a solar tracking system to maximize exposure throughout the day
• Implement regular cleaning and maintenance to combat the effects of rainfall and potential debris
• Consider supplementing with other renewable energy sources during low-production months

While Morpeth's location presents significant challenges for year-round solar energy production, careful system design and maintenance can help maximize the available solar resources, 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 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 Morpeth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 55.1667, Longitude: -1.6833 (Morpeth, 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 Morpeth, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Morpeth, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 55.1667, -1.6833) 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 Morpeth, 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 Morpeth, 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 Morpeth, 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 Morpeth, 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 Morpeth, United Kingdom

The area surrounding Morpeth, a historic market town in Northumberland, England, is characterized by gently rolling countryside typical of the region. The landscape is a mix of low hills, shallow valleys, and open fields, with the River Wansbeck winding through the heart of the town. To the north and west of Morpeth, the terrain gradually rises towards the Northumberland National Park and the Cheviot Hills. This area features more pronounced hills and steeper slopes, with some areas reaching elevations of 200-300 meters above sea level. The countryside is dotted with small woodlands and copses, interspersed with agricultural land used for both crops and grazing. To the east, the land becomes flatter as it approaches the North Sea coast, about 10-15 kilometers from Morpeth. This coastal plain is characterized by wide, open fields and occasional patches of woodland. The terrain here is generally low-lying, with few significant hills or valleys. South of Morpeth, the landscape continues to be predominantly rural, with a mix of farmland and small settlements. The topography remains relatively gentle, with subtle undulations rather than dramatic changes in elevation.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Morpeth for large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable locations would likely be found to the east and southeast of the town. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production: 1. Flatter terrain: The coastal plain to the east provides larger expanses of level ground, which is ideal for the installation of solar panels. This reduces the need for extensive land preparation and allows for more efficient use of space. 2. Fewer obstructions: The open fields in this area have fewer trees and other tall structures that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing potential sunlight exposure. 3. Lower elevation: Areas closer to sea level generally experience less cloud cover and fog compared to higher elevations, potentially increasing the amount of sunlight reaching the panels. 4. Agricultural land: Much of this area is currently used for farming, and solar installations could potentially coexist with certain agricultural activities, providing landowners with an additional source of income. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to undergo thorough environmental and planning assessments. Factors such as impact on local wildlife, visual effects on the landscape, and proximity to electrical grid infrastructure would all need to be carefully considered before any development could take place.

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.

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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.