Wellingborough, 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 5.15kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.29kWh daily. These seasons offer the best conditions 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 2.24kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.08kWh daily. This stark contrast highlights the challenges of year-round solar energy production in Wellingborough's climate.

Optimizing Solar Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed panels should be tilted at a 44-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, balancing summer and winter performance.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors can impact solar production in Wellingborough:

• Cloud cover: The UK is known for its frequently overcast skies, which can significantly reduce solar output.
• Rain and humidity: These can decrease panel efficiency and may require more frequent cleaning.

To mitigate these challenges, consider installing high-efficiency panels that perform better in low-light conditions. Regular panel cleaning and maintenance can also help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, incorporating a battery storage system can help balance out the seasonal variations in energy production.

While Wellingborough may not be ideal for year-round solar energy production compared to sunnier locations, it still offers significant potential, especially during the spring and summer months. With proper planning and installation, solar PV can be a valuable contributor to the area's renewable energy mix.

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 754 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 Wellingborough

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 52.2991, Longitude: -0.6942 (Wellingborough, 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 44° South in Wellingborough, United Kingdom

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wellingborough, United Kingdom (Lat/Long 52.2991, -0.6942) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Wellingborough, 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 Wellingborough, United Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
36° South in Summer	55° South in Autumn	66° South in Winter	44° 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 Wellingborough, 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 Wellingborough, 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 Wellingborough, United Kingdom

Wellingborough, located in Northamptonshire, England, is situated in a gently undulating landscape typical of the East Midlands region. The town itself sits on a plateau above the River Nene, which flows to the south and east. The surrounding countryside is characterized by rolling hills, shallow valleys, and open farmland, with elevations generally ranging from 50 to 100 meters above sea level. To the north and west of Wellingborough, the land gradually rises, forming part of the Northamptonshire Uplands. This area features a mix of arable fields, pastures, and small wooded areas. The terrain becomes slightly more pronounced as you move further north towards Kettering, with some steeper slopes and deeper valleys. South and east of the town, the River Nene valley dominates the landscape. This wide, flat floodplain contains a network of lakes, wetlands, and gravel pits, many of which are the result of past mineral extraction. The valley floor is notably flatter than the surrounding areas, with extensive water meadows and flood management infrastructure.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations near Wellingborough, several factors come into play, including topography, land use, and existing infrastructure. The most suitable areas would likely be: 1. The gently sloping agricultural land to the north and west of Wellingborough: These areas offer large, open fields with minimal shading from trees or buildings. The slight southward slope in many of these locations could provide an optimal angle for solar panels. 2. Reclaimed gravel pit sites in the Nene Valley: While some of these areas have been turned into nature reserves, others might be suitable for solar installations. The flat terrain and lack of agricultural use make them potentially ideal locations. 3. Former industrial sites or brownfield land around the outskirts of Wellingborough and neighboring towns: These areas often have good access to existing electrical infrastructure and are already zoned for development. 4. Large, flat rooftops of industrial buildings and warehouses in the town's commercial areas: While not strictly part of the topography, these surfaces could support significant solar installations without impacting undeveloped land. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider factors beyond just topography, including local planning regulations, grid connection capacity, and environmental impact assessments. The relatively flat nature of much of the land around Wellingborough does, however, provide good potential for solar energy development, subject to these other considerations.

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.