Sunshine and solar power in the UK

Abstract

Solar power is an increasingly important source of clean energy even for a relatively cloudy mid-latitude nation such as the UK. Using areal sunshine series published by the UK Met Office, this study describes the continuing brightening trend that has also been observed since the mid-1980s around the world. The use of the automated Lamb weather type system is explored, particularly the surface synoptic indices developed by Jenkinson and Collison. There is a strong association between sunshine duration (via cloudiness) and circulation features such as anticyclonicity; however, there is no surface-level circulation trend observed that can explain the brightening.