North East irradiance and Northern Powergrid G99
Newcastle (NE postcodes): 930-970 kWh/kWp/yr — lower than South East but compensated by lower land and build costs. Sunderland (SR): 935-975 kWh/kWp/yr. Teesside (TS): 950-990 kWh/kWp/yr (most southerly, best irradiance). Northern Powergrid G99 for NE postcodes: study 30-45 working days, connection offer 4-6 months. Faster than national average — important for large project ROI timing.
Team Valley and Gateshead logistics
Team Valley Trading Estate (NE11 — one of the UK's largest trading estates, 500+ businesses): mixed manufacturing, trade counter, logistics and distribution (400 kW-2 MW PV typical per large shed); Metrocentre retail and distribution (NE11 — logistics sheds behind retail); Washington (NE37/NE38 — Nissan supply chain logistics, Unipart, Ceva Logistics, DHL, Amazon distribution). Team Valley self-consumption: 75-82% logistics. Payback: 5-6 years standard, 4.5-5 years with AIA full utilisation.
Port of Tyne and Tyneside industrial
Port of Tyne (NE28/NE30 — Howdon terminals, Tyne Dock): bonded warehousing and customs sheds (400 kW-1.5 MW PV); Jarrow and South Tyneside industrial (NE32 — steel and chemicals supply chain, Corus supply); Blaydon and Dunston (NE21 — west Tyne industrial belt). Port cold store self-consumption: 88-94%. Payback port warehousing: 4-5 years.
Teesside Freeport — ECA for TS-postcode sites
Teesside Freeport tax sites (TS1-TS3, TS10, TS17-TS18) provide 100% ECA on qualifying plant and machinery. For a qualifying £1.5m solar project at a TS-postcode site: £375k year-one tax shield at 25% corporation tax. South Tees Development Corporation (former Redcar steelworks site) is the largest Freeport tax site — up to 5 MW rooftop and ground-mounted PV viable. We advise on Teesside Freeport ECA eligibility at no charge.
Common questions
Is the North East irradiance too low for viable warehouse solar?
No. Newcastle and Tyneside at 930-970 kWh/kWp/yr is 10-12% lower irradiance than South East England. However, North East install costs are typically 5-8% lower, Northern Powergrid G99 is faster (4-6 months vs SSEN 6-10 months), and grid retail electricity prices are identical nationally. The net effect: 5-6 year payback vs 4.5-5.5 years in the South East — still compelling for most warehouse operators.
Does Washington or Sunderland qualify for Teesside Freeport ECA?
No — Washington (NE37/NE38) and Sunderland (SR postcodes) are outside the Teesside Freeport designated tax sites. Teesside Freeport ECA applies only to assets within the designated TS-postcode tax sites. Washington and Sunderland qualify for standard 100% AIA on the first £1m of capex and 50% FYA above £1m — still highly attractive for most warehouse solar projects.