Solar Potential Map UK: Check Your Area's Sunlight Hours

The UK's solar resource varies dramatically by geography. The South-East gets 30% more usable sunlight than Scotland. The Midlands is sandwiched in between. Understanding your region's solar potential is the first step toward making a smart decision about plug-in solar.

This article maps UK solar potential by region, explains what drives regional variation, and shows you how to assess your specific area.

Quick Regional Solar Potential Summary

Here's the UK's solar potential map in words:

Region	Annual Irradiance	800W System Gen	Relative Potential	Suitability
South-East (London, Brighton)	1,050 kWh/m²/yr	850 kWh	Excellent	Ideal
East Anglia (Norwich)	1,000 kWh/m²/yr	820 kWh	Excellent	Ideal
South-West (Bristol, Cornwall)	980 kWh/m²/yr	800 kWh	Very Good	Excellent
Midlands (Birmingham)	950 kWh/m²/yr	770 kWh	Good	Very Good
North-West (Manchester)	920 kWh/m²/yr	750 kWh	Good	Very Good
Yorkshire (Leeds)	900 kWh/m²/yr	730 kWh	Good	Good
Wales (Cardiff)	920 kWh/m²/yr	740 kWh	Good	Good
Scotland (Edinburgh)	800 kWh/m²/yr	680 kWh	Fair	Fair
Northern Ireland (Belfast)	820 kWh/m²/yr	700 kWh	Fair	Fair

Takeaway: South-East is unambiguously best. Every 200 km north costs 3–5% generation. But even Scotland (the weakest) is still financially viable (3.9 year payback).

What Drives Regional Variation: Geography and Atmosphere

Solar generation in the UK is limited by three factors:

1. Latitude (Sun Angle)

The further north you go, the lower the sun's angle, especially in winter.

• London (51.5°N): Summer sun 62° altitude, winter sun 15° altitude
• Glasgow (55.9°N): Summer sun 58° altitude, winter sun 10° altitude
• Difference: About 5° latitude = 1–2% generation loss

There's nothing you can do about latitude. Scotland's lower angle is a real disadvantage.

2. Cloud Cover (Atmospheric Water Vapor)

The UK's Atlantic position means frequent cloud cover. But regional variation exists:

• South-East (London): Average ~45% cloud cover, ~1,900 sunshine hours/year
• South-West (Cornwall): Average ~48% cloud cover, ~1,900 sunshine hours/year (coastal climate, more wind)
• Midlands (Birmingham): Average ~50% cloud cover, ~1,850 sunshine hours/year
• North-West (Manchester): Average ~54% cloud cover, ~1,800 sunshine hours/year (Atlantic-facing)
• Scotland (Glasgow): Average ~60% cloud cover, ~1,600 sunshine hours/year (wettest, cloudiest)

Cloud cover drives much of the regional variation. Southern regions benefit from high-pressure systems; northern regions get Atlantic depressions (rain, wind, low sun).

3. Aerosol Optical Depth (Air Pollution)

Historical air pollution used to reduce UK solar potential by 10–20% due to smog and particulates. Modern air quality is much better:

• Post-1990 improvement: Cleaner air added ~5% to solar potential
• Regional variation: Industrial areas (historically) had lower generation, but modern UK air is relatively clean everywhere
• Future trend: Continued air-quality improvements will gradually increase solar generation

Modern South-East London has cleaner air than 1990s Manchester, but the difference is small (<2%).

The Visual Map: UK Solar Potential Distribution

Imagine a heat map of the UK, coloured by solar irradiance:

SCOTLAND (800 kWh/m²/yr)
  Dark blue (coolest)
  
  NORTHERN IRELAND (820)
  Blue
  
    WALES (920) | NORTH-WEST (920)
    Light blue
    
      YORKSHIRE (900) | MIDLANDS (950)
      Light blue–cyan
      
        SOUTH-WEST (980) | EAST ANGLIA (1,000)
        Cyan–light green
        
          SOUTH-EAST (1,050)
          Light green (warmest)

The pattern is clear: south and east are warmer (more sun); north and west are cooler (less sun).

Coastal areas are slightly better than inland in the South-West (Cornwall vs rural Devon) due to ocean reflection, but the difference is <3%.

Interactive Assessment: Check Your Area

To assess your specific postcode's solar potential:

1. Run the Solar Report – click on your property on the map to get a sun-exposure grade (Excellent / Very Good / Good / Limited / Not Ideal)
2. Cross-reference with the regional table – see what your region typically generates
3. Run the calculator – input your postcode to get exact estimates

The Report tool uses satellite building footprints and sun-geometry algorithms to assess shadow and aspect. It's a quick, free alternative to a professional survey.

Regional Deep Dives

South-East England (London, Brighton, Canterbury)

Solar Potential: Excellent (1,050 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Southernmost region, low cloud cover, excellent sunshine hours.

Typical 800W system: 850 kWh/year, £256/year saving, 3.1-year payback.

Considerations:

• Urban areas may have more air-pollution shadows (historically), but modern London air is clean
• High building density may reduce suitable roof space
• South-facing properties are common; north-facing less common

Verdict: Best-performing region. Any suitable property (south-facing, unshaded) is economically excellent.

East Anglia (Norwich, Peterborough, Cambridge)

Solar Potential: Excellent (1,000 kWh/m²/yr) – Hidden Gem

Why: Lower latitude than Scotland (good), relatively clear skies (low cloud cover for UK), flat terrain (less shading).

Typical 800W system: 820 kWh/year, £246/year saving, 3.2-year payback.

Considerations:

• Often overlooked due to perception of "grey East England"
• Actually sunnier than much of the South-West
• Flat terrain means excellent south-facing roof opportunities in rural areas

Verdict: Underrated region. East Anglia is nearly as good as London, often with cheaper property and better roof access.

South-West England (Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Cornwall)

Solar Potential: Very Good (980 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Southern latitude, Atlantic coast reflection (Cornish coast especially), cleaner air than industrial Midlands.

Typical 800W system: 800 kWh/year, £240/year saving, 3.3-year payback.

Considerations:

• Coastal areas (Cornwall, Devon) have ocean reflection advantage (+2–3%)
• Inland areas (Dartmoor, Exmoor) are slightly cloudier
• Rural terrain often means large south-facing roof exposure

Verdict: Excellent choice. Slightly below South-East, but substantial rural advantages (bigger roofs, fewer obstructions).

Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham)

Solar Potential: Good (950 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Transition zone between sunny South and cloudy North. Historically industrial air quality, now cleaner.

Typical 800W system: 770 kWh/year, £231/year saving, 3.4-year payback.

Considerations:

• Mix of urban (Birmingham, Coventry) and rural (countryside) properties
• Urban areas may have tall neighbouring buildings reducing south-facing roofs
• Rural areas have excellent generation

Verdict: Solid choice. Urban Midlands properties may face shade constraints; rural properties excellent.

North-West England (Manchester, Liverpool, Chester)

Solar Potential: Good (920 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Atlantic-facing, high cloud cover (depressions from west), low sun angle.

Typical 800W system: 750 kWh/year, £225/year saving, 3.5-year payback.

Considerations:

• Cloudier than South on average, but Manchester's high rain is autumn/winter (not summer)
• Summer generation can surprise upward (May–August clear skies)
• Industrial heritage means older housing stock (potentially steeper roofs = better angle)

Verdict: Viable. Payback is slightly longer (3.5 vs 3.1 years), but margin is small. Worth doing.

Yorkshire and North-East (Leeds, Newcastle, York)

Solar Potential: Good (900 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Further north, higher cloud cover, lower sun angle.

Typical 800W system: 730 kWh/year, £219/year saving, 3.6-year payback.

Considerations:

• Borderline viability (payback >3.5 years)
• Winter generation is weak; summer can be good
• Stone/slate roofs common (heavy, good angle)

Verdict: Acceptable. For rural properties with south-facing roofs, worth considering. Urban areas may face constraints.

Wales (Cardiff, Swansea, Bangor)

Solar Potential: Good (920 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Similar cloud cover to North-West, low sun angle, Atlantic-facing.

Typical 800W system: 740 kWh/year, £222/year saving, 3.6-year payback.

Considerations:

• Valleys (Merthyr, Ebbw Vale) are cloudier than coast (Cardiff, Swansea)
• Rural properties often have excellent south-facing roofs
• Planning constraints in some conservation areas

Verdict: Viable. Coastal areas better than valleys. Worth considering for rural properties.

Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen)

Solar Potential: Fair (800 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Northernmost region, lowest sun angle, highest cloud cover, frequent rain.

Typical 800W system: 680 kWh/year, £204/year saving, 3.9-year payback.

Considerations:

• Payback approaches 4 years (marginal, but still acceptable)
• Winter generation is extremely weak (<20 kWh/month)
• Summer is excellent (long days, sometimes very clear)
• Need excellent system cost discipline (£1/W or better) for payback to work

Verdict: Marginal but viable. Only proceed if: (a) system cost is low, (b) property is unshaded and south-facing, (c) you value the long-term investment despite slower payback. Skip if system cost is high (£1.20/W+).

Northern Ireland (Belfast, Derry)

Solar Potential: Fair (820 kWh/m²/yr)

Why: Similar latitude to Scotland, Atlantic-facing, but sometimes clearer (coastal benefit).

Typical 800W system: 700 kWh/year, £210/year saving, 3.8-year payback.

Considerations:

• Slightly better than Glasgow/Edinburgh due to coastal reflection
• Weather patterns are Atlantic-dependent (unpredictable)
• Planning rules differ from UK (check local authority)

Verdict: Acceptable. Similar to Scotland; marginal but viable for unshaded south-facing properties.

Using a Postcode to Find Exact Potential

Regional averages are useful, but your specific postcode matters. Enter your postcode in the calculator to get exact estimates:

1. Postcode validates your UK location
2. PVGIS queries solar data for your exact coordinates
3. You get month-by-month generation specific to your address
4. Cross-reference with the regional table to see if you're better or worse than average for your region

Example: SW1A 1AA (central London) vs SE25 6AH (outer London) both in the South-East region, but:

• Central London: 835 kWh (slightly lower due to urban shade/pollution)
• Outer London: 850 kWh (rural advantage)
• Difference: ~2% (within PVGIS uncertainty)

Combining Region with Property Assessment

Region is one lever; your property's characteristics are another:

Factor	Impact
Region (South-East vs Scotland)	±25% generation
Aspect (South vs East/West)	±25% generation
Shading (None vs Heavy)	±30% generation
Placement (Tilted vs Vertical)	±22% generation

A cloudy North property with perfect aspect could outperform a sunny South property with heavy shade.

The region matters, but don't let region alone kill your decision. Use the Solar Report to assess your property's specific conditions.

Future Trends: Will UK Solar Potential Improve?

Climate models suggest:

• Air quality: Continues improving → +1–2% generation by 2050
• Cloud cover: Uncertain; some models show higher pressure systems (clearer) in summer, but more depressions in winter
• Solar irradiance: Slight upward trend in historical data (+0.3%/year), likely due to pollution reduction

Bottom line: Don't count on climate change improving solar potential. Conservative planning assumes current PVGIS averages.

Key Takeaways

• South-East is best (1,050 kWh/m²/yr) → 850 kWh/year, 3.1-year payback
• Scotland is worst (800 kWh/m²/yr) → 680 kWh/year, 3.9-year payback
• Every 200 km north costs ~3–5% generation – consistent gradient
• But all UK regions are viable – even Scotland's 3.9-year payback beats savings accounts
• Your property matters more than region – south-facing unshaded beats north-facing shaded in any region
• Use the map (regional table) for quick check, then drill down to your postcode – calculator gives exact figures

Next Steps

1. Find your region in the table – see typical potential for your area
2. Run the Solar Report – assess your specific property's sun exposure
3. Run the calculator – input your postcode for exact generation estimates
4. Compare payback to your alternatives – is 3–4 years beating your investment plan?

Ready to see your area's solar potential? Run the Solar Report now—just click on your property on the map.