Located in Jiyuan, Henan, China, this site offers a relatively good opportunity for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, Jiyuan experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy potential that should be considered when planning solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation at this Jiyuan location shows significant seasonal fluctuations. Summer and spring are the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.39kWh and 5.30kWh respectively per kilowatt of installed capacity. By contrast, autumn and winter see considerably reduced production at 3.40kWh and 3.25kWh per day per kilowatt installed.

This pattern means that approximately 60% of the annual solar energy is generated during spring and summer months, making these seasons particularly valuable for energy production. The nearly 40% drop in output during autumn and winter represents a substantial seasonal variation that should be accounted for in system design.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at this Jiyuan location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the solar elevation throughout the year and weighting it according to the site's solar potential.

Using this optimal angle helps balance the seasonal variations, capturing more energy during lower-production months while still taking advantage of the high-production periods.

Environmental Challenges

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production at this Jiyuan location:

• Air pollution from nearby industrial activities and coal burning, particularly during winter months, can significantly reduce solar irradiance reaching panels
• Seasonal dust storms in spring, common in northern China, may coat panels and reduce efficiency
• Winter snow accumulation could temporarily cover panels, especially at the recommended 31-degree tilt

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental challenges, several preventative measures should be considered:

Installing an automated cleaning system would help address dust and pollution buildup. For snow management, slightly increasing the tilt angle beyond the optimal 31 degrees can promote natural snow sliding, though this comes with a small trade-off in annual production. Using anti-soiling glass coatings on panels can reduce dust adhesion and make cleaning more effective, particularly important during dusty spring months.

Additionally, selecting panels with good low-light performance would help maximize output during hazy winter days when pollution levels are typically higher in this region of China.

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 Jiyuan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.0835, Longitude: 112.5794 (Jiyuan, 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 31° South in Jiyuan, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jiyuan, China (Lat/Long 35.0835, 112.5794) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Jiyuan, 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 Jiyuan, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	27° 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 Jiyuan, 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 Jiyuan, 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 Jiyuan, China

The topography around Jiyuan, China presents a varied landscape characterized by mountains, hills, plateaus, and river valleys. Located in the northern part of Henan Province, Jiyuan sits at the transitional zone between the North China Plain and the Taihang Mountains. The city is nestled in a basin surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the Yellow River flowing along its northern border.

Mountain and Hill Features

To the north and northwest of Jiyuan rise the formidable Taihang Mountains, creating a natural boundary between Henan and Shanxi provinces. These mountains feature steep slopes and numerous valleys, with elevations reaching over 1,500 meters in some areas. The southern and eastern portions of the region are dominated by the Funiu Mountains, which form part of the greater Qinling mountain range. These mountains generally have gentler slopes compared to the Taihang range but still present significant terrain variations. Between these mountain systems lies a series of hills and plateaus that gradually descend toward the Yellow River valley. The terrain in these intermediate zones consists of rolling hills interspersed with small plateaus and valleys, creating a complex topographical pattern. The soil composition varies throughout the region, with loess being particularly common on the hills and plateaus.

River Valleys and Plains

The Yellow River forms a major geographical feature along Jiyuan's northern boundary. The river has carved a broad valley through the region, creating flatter terrain with rich alluvial soils. Several smaller rivers and streams flow through the Jiyuan area, including tributaries of the Yellow River, further dissecting the landscape and creating additional valley systems. In the eastern portions of the region, the terrain gradually transitions to the North China Plain, with increasingly flat landscapes and fewer topographical barriers. These areas represent the westernmost extensions of the vast plain system that dominates eastern China.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several areas around Jiyuan offer favorable conditions. The gently sloping hills and plateaus to the south and southeast of the city present particularly promising locations. These areas benefit from relatively flat terrain that can accommodate large arrays while still having sufficient elevation to avoid shadowing effects from surrounding features. The transitional zones between the mountains and the plains, particularly in the eastern and northeastern sections of the region, also hold significant potential. These areas typically feature stable geological conditions and are less prone to flooding compared to the river valleys. Many of these locations also have sparse vegetation and limited agricultural value, making them suitable for conversion to solar energy production without significant impact on food security. The plateaus located southwest of Jiyuan offer another viable option for solar PV development. These elevated flat areas receive consistent solar exposure and have suitable ground conditions for supporting solar infrastructure. The somewhat arid nature of these higher elevation zones means they generally have less economic value for agriculture, reducing potential land-use conflicts. It's worth noting that the deep mountain valleys and north-facing slopes throughout the region would be less suitable for solar development due to shadowing effects and installation challenges posed by steep terrain. Similarly, the fertile agricultural lands in the Yellow River valley would likely face competing land-use priorities that might make them less optimal for large-scale solar deployment despite their flat terrain.

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.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

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.