Newton Aycliffe, England, located in the United Kingdom, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 4.99 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.28 kWh/day. These seasons offer the best opportunities for solar energy production, with longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies.

However, the picture changes dramatically during the colder months. Autumn sees a substantial drop to 1.94 kWh/day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 0.86 kWh/day. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy production in Newton Aycliffe.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed panels should be installed at a 46-degree angle facing south. This optimal tilt helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the low winter sun with the higher summer sun path.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Newton Aycliffe:

1. Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequent cloudy weather, which can significantly reduce solar output.
2. Short winter days: The location's northern latitude results in very short days during winter, limiting solar generation.

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels that perform better in low-light conditions.
• Implement a robust cleaning schedule to remove dirt and debris, which can accumulate more in cloudy, damp climates.
• Consider a hybrid system combining solar with other renewable sources to ensure consistent energy supply year-round.

While Newton Aycliffe may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production, careful planning and appropriate technology can still make solar PV a viable part of the local energy mix, particularly during the 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 Newton Aycliffe

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.6048, Longitude: -1.5535 (Newton Aycliffe, 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 Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.6048, -1.5535) 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 Newton Aycliffe, 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 Newton Aycliffe, 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	57° South in Autumn	68° South in Winter	46° 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 Newton Aycliffe, 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 Newton Aycliffe, 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 Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom

Newton Aycliffe, located in County Durham, England, is situated in an area with a diverse and gently undulating topography. The landscape surrounding this town is characterized by a mix of low-lying plains and subtle hills, typical of the northeastern English countryside. To the west of Newton Aycliffe, the land gradually rises towards the Pennine foothills, creating a series of gentle slopes and shallow valleys. This area is predominantly rural, with a patchwork of agricultural fields and small woodlands dotting the landscape. The eastern side of the town, in contrast, is generally flatter, with more expansive open spaces that stretch towards the coast. The River Skerne, a tributary of the River Tees, flows near Newton Aycliffe, contributing to the local topography with its winding course and associated floodplains. This creates some areas of lower elevation and occasionally marshy ground in the vicinity.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Newton Aycliffe, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically be those with relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from natural or man-made structures. The expansive agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Newton Aycliffe present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas benefit from their generally flat topography and open landscapes, which would allow for maximum sun exposure throughout the day. The lack of significant hills or dense forests in this direction means there are fewer natural obstacles to sunlight. Another potentially suitable area lies to the north of the town, where there are several large, open fields with minimal elevation changes. These spaces could accommodate substantial solar arrays without requiring extensive land modification. It's worth noting that while the western areas rising towards the Pennines might offer some south-facing slopes that could be beneficial for solar panels, the more varied topography and potential for increased cloud cover in hilly regions might make these locations less ideal for large-scale installations. Any solar PV project would need to carefully consider local planning regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the agricultural value of the land. Additionally, proximity to existing electrical infrastructure for grid connection would be an important factor in determining the most practical locations for large-scale solar developments in the vicinity of Newton Aycliffe.

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.