Plug-in solar in Whitley Bay
On the coast you get open skies and fewer tall trees, which is good for solar. You also get wind off the North Sea, which means you need to think about ballast.
Ballast for ground kits
| Gusts up to | Blocks needed (18kg or more each) |
|---|---|
| 40mph | 2 |
| 60mph | 5 |
| 80mph | 10 |
From the maker's manual for ground kits. Hybrid kits need ballast suited to your spot; ask us for the maker's figure for your kit.
Living with sea air
Salt in the air can mark panels over time. Rinse them with plain water now and then, and never use a pressure washer or abrasive cleaner.
Keep the plug and socket dry and the socket cover closed. A weatherproof outdoor socket is a must on the coast.
After a big storm, check the stand hasn't shifted and the blocks are still in place.
Room to spread out
Two panels suit a coast garden
Many semis in Whitley Bay and Monkseaton have a lawn long enough for a Duo 890W kit, which needs about 3.7m by 1.2m. Place it where the house shelters it from the worst of the easterly wind.
Hear when kits go on sale
We'll email you when ordering opens, with prices and delivery dates.
- No payment, no commitment
- Unsubscribe any time
Will the wind blow it over?
Not if the ballast is right. Use the maker's block numbers, and plan for the higher figure near the sea.
Who's the network operator for Whitley Bay?
Northern Powergrid, the same as the rest of the North East. You register your kit at myplugin.solar and they're told.