Sunniest Places In The UK

As we begin to move towards a more sustainable future, being able to utilise solar energy efficiently is becoming more and more important. And now, with rising energy costs, it has become an increasingly popular solution for managing our budget.

The best thing about solar panels is that they can still generate sufficient electricity, even if it is less, on cloudy days, which means the UK is just as good a place as any other to invest in solar energy solutions. That being said, the amount of sunlight a location receives is still important to maximise the efficiency and return on investment.

So, if you are wondering whether installing solar panels is worth it in this weather, then join us as our team explores the sunniest cities and towns in the UK and examines how their high sunshine hours make them a good spot for solar power generation.

And yes, these places do exist here.

But First… What is Considered A Sunny City?

How sunny a place is is measured in hours per year. So, a city is generally considered ‘sunny’ if it receives at least 1,800-2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Now, here’s a rough classification with some examples from the Continent that can help clear things up: 

• Extremely Sunny (2,500+ hours/year): This is most common for Mediterranean regions like the coasts of Spain, Greece, and southern Italy. 

• Very Sunny (2,000-2,500 hours/year): These places are most commonly found in Southern Europe. Think of places like Madrid, Marseille, and Rome. 

• Moderately Sunny (1,800-2,000 hours/year): Now we are getting closer to home. This includes places like Northern Europe and some parts of the South and East of the UK. 

• Less Sunny (1,500-1,800 hours/year): This covers most of the UK, including cities like London and Bristol. These still receive enough sunlight for effective solar power. 

• Low Sunshine (below 1,500 hours/year):  Most common in the northern UK and parts of Scandinavia, where the winter months have significantly fewer daylight hours. 

However, don’t let such a classification discourage you. Yes, the UK cannot match Mediterranean cities’ level of sunlight, but even less sunny regions have strong potential for solar energy generation.

And here they are: 

Top 5 Sunniest Towns in the UK

1. Eastbourne, East Sussex

• Average annual sunshine: 1,902 hours 
• One of the brightest towns along the southern coast and a prime location for harnessing solar energy.

2. Ventnor, Isle of Wight

• Average annual sunshine: 1,900 hours
• Located on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight, it is the sunniest town on the island. It has a unique microclimate, it is sheltered by the surrounding hills and, ultimately, enjoys more sunshine than many other areas around the UK.

3. Chichester, West Sussex

• Average annual sunshine: 1,900 hours 
• Again, located on the southern coast, Chichester enjoys one of the highest sunshine hours in the whole of the UK. Absolutely perfect for solar energy generation. 

4. Folkestone, Kent

• Average annual sunshine: 1,684 hours 
• Another sunny coastal town on the southern coast is an excellent candidate for solar energy use. 

5. Hastings, East Sussex

• Average annual sunshine: 1.525 hours 
• Hastings’ coastal location experiences long sunny spells, which makes it a very good choice for solar panel installations.

Top 5 Sunniest Cities in the UK

In terms of hours, the UK’s cities are considered ‘less sunny’ in comparison to the UK’s towns. However, they still have enough daylight for efficient solar energy use and energy bill reduction.

1.London

• Average annual sunshine: 1,626 hours
• You may be surprised, but London is the sunniest major city in the UK, with plenty of sunshine throughout the year. 

2.Norwich

• Average annual sunshine: 1,600 hours

Like many places in the east of England, Norwich enjoys a considerable amount of sunshine, making it another great city for solar energy use.

3.Southhampton

• Average annual sunshine: 1,541 hours

Southampton has a mild climate with plenty of sunshine and sufficient daylight for solar energy solutions. 

4.Cardiff

• Average annual sunshine: 1,530 hours
• As the capital of Wales, Cardiff has a relatively sunny climate, which makes it a good choice for solar panels despite its coastal weather.

5.Bristol

• Average annual sunshine: 1,525 hours 
• Bristol’s southern location enjoys rich, long sunny days. Ideal for solar energy generation.
  

Is the Best Place for Solar Panels Only in Sunny Cities?

The short answer is no. 

It is a common misconception that solar energy only works in regions with outstanding and constant sunshine. It is true that these places are very efficient for solar energy. But, in reality, solar panels need daylight, not sunlight, to work. They can generate electricity just as effectively, even in cloudy conditions. Although energy production will be lower, it will still be sufficient to reduce energy bills and provide your household with the electricity it needs. This means that solar panels are a viable option all across the UK.

How Do Solar Panels Work in Cloudy Weather?

Despite hours of sunshine, there are some additional factors that actually play an important role and can influence how much energy a solar panel can produce for you. So have these in mind if you are considering solar power installation, especially in less sunny regions:

• Roof Orientation & Angle: South-facing roofs are the ones that capture the most sunlight. While east or west-facing panels can still generate substantial power, north-facing roofs are the least effective. 

• Panel Quality & Technology: If you invest in high-efficiency panels, you will have a system that can perform well even in low-light conditions, which will also ensure a better return on investment. 

• Local Weather Conditions: As mentioned, solar panels can still generate power through indirect sunlight, so cloudy weather may reduce the energy output, but it is not something that will affect the efficiency of the system and the benefits of the investment. 

Ultimately, the sunnier, the better, but solar power can still be very effective in less sunny places, especially when combined with quality products and good roof orientation. 

Financial Benefits of Solar Panels in Our Sunniest Cities

If you are wondering whether to invest in solar panels, keep in mind that their benefits are highest in the UK’s sunniest locations. There, sunshine hours lead to greater energy production, which leads to a quicker return on investment. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits you can experience:

• Installation Costs & ROI: A 4kW solar panel system in the UK ranges from £5,000 to £7,000. (Our pricing for a system with 9 x 460W panels is £5,600, excluding scaffolding, bird meshing, and other additional costs.) In sunnier places, solar panels will produce more electricity, reducing reliance on the grid and shortening the payback period, which is around 6-10 years. If you are living in one of the sunniest places, you can see returns even sooner.

• Lower Energy Bills: More sunshine equals greater self-sufficiency. For example, homeowners in Eastbourne (1,902 hours) and the Isle of Wight (1,900 hours) can generate 10-20% more electricity than cloudier regions, which will lead to faster savings. 

• Savings: These will depend on the system’s size and energy usage, but if you are a homeowner in one of the UK’s sunniest locations, then you could save up to 80% per year on electricity bills.

• Government Incentives: The UK government shows support to homeowners who have switched to solar panels, offering zero VAT on solar panel installations until 2027. Additionally, the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) allows you to sell surplus energy back to the grid. 

To take things further, you can also have your own battery storage system at home to help you store the excess energy your solar panels will create. This will increase your freedom of usage, reduce grid dependence and ultimately save you even more money.

However, remember that energy bills will be reduced, and enough energy can be generated even if you live in less sunny areas in the UK. 

But What If You Are Not Based in a Sunny City?

We cannot stress this enough. Modern solar panels can generate power even on overcast days.  Despite the abundance of sunlight in sunny cities, cloudier regions like Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, where our services are based, can benefit from solar energy, and it will still be a smart investment!

Switching to solar, even in cloudier regions, can save you up to 80% on energy bills, gain energy independence, and reduce your carbon footprint. And if you are based in these areas, you can benefit from our strong network of maintenance experts, who will help you smoothly transition to clean energy. 

Plus, you can always sell any excess energy back to the grid, turning your solar investment into a potential income stream.  

UK’s Sunny Cities: Your Ticket to Energy Savings

While the UK isn’t known for endless sunshine, our sunniest places offer great conditions for solar energy solutions. Not a cloud in the sky can stop you from lowering your energy bills and achieving a faster return on investment. 

But even in less sunny areas, modern solar technology is prepared to generate enough energy to keep your savings on the rise and your carbon footprint low. So, no matter whether you live in cloudy or sunny areas, you can change your energy and savings game with solar panel technology. 

If you are considering solar panels for your home or business, get in touch, and we will guide you through the best solutions, installation and insights to help you get the most out of your daylight.