Cixi, Zhejiang, China, located at latitude 30.176 and longitude 121.241, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This city in the Northern Sub Tropics experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Cixi fluctuates with the changing seasons. Summer proves to be the most productive period, with an impressive 5.15 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.52 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production at 3.94 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.01 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Cixi, Zhejiang, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 27-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Cixi generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Air pollution: As an industrial city, Cixi may experience periods of increased air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular cleaning of the panels can help mitigate this issue. 2. Typhoons: The region is occasionally affected by typhoons, which could potentially damage solar installations. Implementing sturdy mounting systems and using high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help protect against severe weather events. 3. Humidity: The subtropical climate of Cixi means higher humidity levels, which may lead to increased dust accumulation on panels. Installing panels at the recommended angle and scheduling regular maintenance can help address this concern. By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate preventative measures, solar PV installations in Cixi can achieve optimal energy production throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 319 locations across China. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in China by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Cixi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.176, Longitude: 121.241 (Cixi, China), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 27° South in Cixi, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cixi, China (Lat/Long 30.176, 121.241) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Cixi, China

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Cixi, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	35° South in Autumn	46° South in Winter	23° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Cixi, China

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Cixi, China.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Cixi, China

The topography around Cixi, China, located at latitude 30.176 and longitude 121.241, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat coastal plains and hilly regions. Cixi is situated in the northeastern part of Zhejiang Province, along the southern shore of Hangzhou Bay. The area is part of the Yangtze River Delta region, known for its low-lying terrain and extensive network of rivers and canals. Near the coast, the land is predominantly flat, with vast stretches of alluvial plains formed by sediment deposits from rivers flowing into Hangzhou Bay. These plains are interspersed with numerous waterways, creating a patchwork of agricultural fields and small settlements. As one moves inland from the coast, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating, with gentle hills and low-lying mountains appearing in the landscape.

Suitable Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flat coastal plains offer the most promising potential. These areas provide several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the expansive, level terrain of the coastal plains allows for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. The lack of significant elevation changes reduces construction costs and simplifies the layout of solar arrays. Secondly, the coastal region experiences fewer obstructions to sunlight, such as tall buildings or mountains, which could cast shadows on solar panels. This unobstructed exposure to sunlight throughout the day maximizes the efficiency of solar energy generation. Additionally, the proximity to urban and industrial centers in the Yangtze River Delta region means that large-scale solar PV installations in this area would have ready access to existing power infrastructure and potential consumers of the generated electricity. However, it's important to note that while the coastal plains offer advantages for solar PV development, careful consideration must be given to environmental factors such as potential flooding risks and the impact on local ecosystems. Any large-scale solar projects would need to be designed and implemented with these factors in mind to ensure sustainability and resilience in the face of climate change and sea-level rise.

China solar PV Stats as a country

China ranks 1st in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 306,973 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 6.20% of China's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 13th in the world). Each year China is generating 217 Watts from solar PV per capita (China ranks 24th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in China?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in China. These include subsidies from the Chinese government, preferential tax policies, and access to low-interest loans. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for renewable energy certificates (RECs) which can be sold on the open market for additional income.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in China? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.