Washington, England, United Kingdom, located at latitude 54.9 and longitude -1.5167, presents a mixed picture for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which greatly impacts the efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this location shows a stark contrast between summer and winter months. During summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 4.93 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 4.20 kWh/day, making these seasons ideal for solar energy production.

However, the picture changes dramatically in autumn and winter. Autumn sees a significant drop to 1.88 kWh/day, while winter production plummets to a mere 0.82 kWh/day. This substantial seasonal variation poses challenges for consistent year-round energy generation.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 46 degrees facing south. This optimal angle helps capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several factors can impede solar production in Washington, England, UK:

• Frequent cloud cover and overcast conditions, typical of the UK climate
• Short winter days with limited sunlight hours
• Potential for snow accumulation in winter, which can cover panels

To mitigate these challenges, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install high-efficiency panels designed for low-light conditions
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially during winter, to remove snow and debris
• Consider a dual-axis tracking system for maximum solar exposure, if budget allows

While Washington, England, UK, may not be ideal for year-round solar production, proper system design and maintenance can still yield significant energy benefits, especially during the longer, brighter days of spring and summer.

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 Washington

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 54.9, Longitude: -1.5167 (Washington, 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 Washington, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Washington, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 54.9, -1.5167) 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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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	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 Washington, 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 Washington, 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 Washington, United Kingdom

The topography around Washington, United Kingdom, located at latitude 54.9 and longitude -1.5167, is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying plains. This area, situated in the North East of England, is part of the larger Tyne and Wear region. The landscape is a mix of urban development, suburban areas, and patches of rural countryside. To the west of Washington, the terrain gradually rises towards the Pennine Hills, creating a more undulating landscape. However, the immediate vicinity of Washington itself is relatively flat, with subtle variations in elevation. The River Wear flows nearby, carving a shallow valley through the area and contributing to the local topography.

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 ideal locations would be relatively flat, open spaces with minimal shading from trees or buildings. They should also have good access to the electrical grid and be away from densely populated areas. Given these criteria, the rural areas to the south and southeast of Washington show promise for solar PV development. These regions tend to have more open farmland and fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The gently sloping terrain in these areas could actually be beneficial, as it allows for optimal panel orientation towards the sun. However, it's important to note that the North East of England, including the Washington area, receives less sunlight compared to more southern parts of the UK. This factor may impact the overall efficiency and economic viability of large-scale solar projects in the region. Additionally, any potential sites would need to be carefully assessed for their environmental impact and compatibility with local land use regulations. While there may be suitable locations for solar PV installations near Washington, developers would need to conduct thorough site surveys and feasibility studies to identify the most promising areas. Factors such as soil quality, drainage, and proximity to power infrastructure would all play crucial roles in determining the best locations for large-scale solar energy projects in this region.

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.