Solar PV Analysis of Fangshan, China
Fangshan, China, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 39.6939°N, 116.0022°E, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into the location's potential for harnessing solar energy.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy production in Fangshan exhibits notable fluctuations across seasons. Spring and summer emerge as the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.46 kWh and 5.38 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. In contrast, autumn and winter show reduced productivity, generating 3.30 kWh and 3.03 kWh per day, respectively.
This seasonal pattern indicates that Fangshan experiences optimal solar conditions during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn. The extended daylight hours and generally clearer skies during this period contribute to enhanced solar energy capture.
Optimizing Solar Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Fangshan, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing south. This optimal tilt angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun paths, ensuring the panels receive the most direct sunlight possible throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Fangshan offers good potential for solar energy generation, there are some environmental factors that could impact solar production:
- Air pollution: Being in proximity to Beijing, Fangshan may experience periods of high air pollution, which can reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels.
- Seasonal variations: The significant drop in winter productivity suggests potential challenges with snow cover and shorter daylight hours.
To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:
- Use high-efficiency panels designed to perform well in low-light conditions.
- Install automated cleaning systems or schedule regular panel cleaning to combat pollution buildup.
- Consider a slight increase in panel tilt during winter months to facilitate snow shedding.
- Implement a robust monitoring system to quickly identify and address any performance issues.
By taking these precautions, solar installations in Fangshan can maximize their energy production potential, making the most of the location's generally favorable conditions for solar PV generation.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Fangshan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.6939, Longitude: 116.0022 (Fangshan, 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 36° South in Fangshan, China
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fangshan, China (Lat/Long 39.6939, 116.0022) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Fangshan, 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 Fangshan, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 32° 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 Fangshan, 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 Fangshan, China.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Fangshan, China
The topography around Fangshan, China, is characterized by a mix of terrain types. Fangshan is located in the western part of Beijing Municipality, situated where the North China Plain meets the foothills of the Taihang Mountains. The landscape in this area gradually transitions from relatively flat plains in the east to more hilly and mountainous terrain in the west.
The eastern portions of Fangshan feature gently rolling plains and low-lying areas, with elevations generally ranging from 20 to 100 meters above sea level. This flatter terrain is part of the broader North China Plain, which extends eastward towards Beijing city proper. As you move westward within Fangshan, the landscape becomes increasingly hilly, with elevations rising to around 200-400 meters.
The western parts of Fangshan are dominated by the easternmost foothills of the Taihang Mountains. Here, the terrain becomes more rugged and mountainous, with steep slopes and narrow valleys. Some peaks in this area reach heights of 800-1000 meters above sea level. This mountainous region is known for its scenic beauty and includes several nature reserves and parks.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the eastern and southeastern portions of Fangshan would likely be the most appropriate. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- Flatter terrain, which is easier and more cost-effective for constructing large solar arrays
- Fewer obstructions to sunlight, such as tall mountains or dense forests
- Proximity to existing infrastructure and power grids, making it easier to connect and distribute the generated electricity
- Less competition for land use compared to the more densely populated urban areas to the east
The plains and gently rolling hills in the eastern part of Fangshan provide ample space for solar panels while minimizing the need for extensive land grading or terracing. Additionally, these areas receive good sun exposure throughout the year, which is crucial for maximizing solar energy production.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to balance energy production goals with local land use policies, environmental considerations, and the needs of nearby communities. Careful site selection and environmental impact assessments would be necessary to ensure sustainable development of solar resources in the region.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 22nd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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
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