Laiwu, Shandong, China, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With seasonal variations in energy production, this location demonstrates good potential for solar power with proper installation considerations.

Seasonal Solar Production

The energy generation from solar PV in Laiwu follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer delivers the highest output at 5.40kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.37kWh/day, making these the two most productive seasons for solar energy. The cooler months show a noticeable decrease, with autumn producing 3.43kWh/day and winter dropping to 3.11kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This pattern indicates that Laiwu experiences approximately 43% less solar production during winter compared to summer months. Despite this reduction, the location maintains reasonable year-round generation potential, with no season dropping below 3kWh/day.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed solar panel installations in Laiwu, Shandong, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 32 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's position in the Northern Hemisphere.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Laiwu faces several environmental factors that could potentially impact solar production. Being in northern China, the region experiences seasonal air pollution and dust storms, particularly during winter and spring. These atmospheric conditions can significantly reduce solar irradiance reaching panels.

Additionally, the area experiences seasonal temperature variations that affect panel efficiency, with high summer temperatures potentially reducing performance during the most productive months.

Preventative measures to optimize production include:

• Regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and pollution buildup
• Installing panels with adequate spacing for airflow to reduce temperature-related efficiency losses
• Using anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces
• Considering microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Implementing automated cleaning systems in areas prone to dust accumulation

With these considerations addressed during installation and maintenance, Laiwu's solar potential can be more fully realized, especially during the highly productive spring and summer months when daily output exceeds 5kWh per installed kilowatt.

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 Laiwu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.192, Longitude: 117.6599 (Laiwu, 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 32° South in Laiwu, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Laiwu, China (Lat/Long 36.192, 117.6599) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Laiwu, 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 Laiwu, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	28° 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 Laiwu, 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 Laiwu, 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 Laiwu, China

The area surrounding Laiwu, located in Shandong Province in eastern China, presents a diverse topographic profile characterized by a transition between mountains and plains. The region sits at the eastern edge of the Taishan Mountain Range, creating a landscape that gradually shifts from mountainous terrain in the south and west to more level areas in the north and east.

Mountain Features

Laiwu's southern and western regions are dominated by rolling hills and mountains that form part of the greater Taishan Mountain system. These elevations typically range from 200 to 800 meters above sea level, with some peaks reaching higher altitudes. The mountainous terrain creates numerous valleys and slopes with varying aspects and gradients. The mountains generally run in a northeast to southwest direction, influencing local wind patterns and creating distinct microclimates throughout the region.

Valley and Plain Areas

Between the mountain ranges lie several valleys and small basins that have been formed through centuries of erosion. These areas contain most of the region's agricultural land and settlements, including the urban center of Laiwu itself. As one moves northward and eastward from Laiwu, the landscape gradually transitions to the broader North China Plain, becoming increasingly flat and open.

Hydrological Features

The area contains numerous small rivers and streams that flow primarily from the mountains in the south toward the north and east. These waterways have carved valleys through the mountainous terrain over time, creating natural corridors through the landscape. Several reservoirs have been constructed in the region to manage water resources, creating artificial lakes among the hills.

Potential for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most promising areas near Laiwu would be the gently sloping terrain and flat plains located primarily to the north and east of the city. These locations offer several advantages: The relatively flat topography reduces construction complexity and cost for large installations, allowing for more uniform panel arrangements and easier access for maintenance. The gradual south-facing slopes found at the transition between mountains and plains provide optimal sun exposure throughout the day, maximizing energy generation potential. These transitional zones typically have less agricultural value than the fertile flat plains, reducing land-use conflicts. The lower-elevation areas generally experience less fog and cloud cover than the higher mountain regions, ensuring more consistent solar radiation. Areas to potentially avoid include the steeper mountain slopes in the south and west, which would present significant construction challenges and higher costs for large-scale developments. Additionally, narrow valleys may experience more shading during parts of the day, reducing overall generation efficiency. The northeastern plains extending from Laiwu toward Zibo and the southeastern areas moving toward Linyi represent particularly favorable zones for solar development, combining appropriate topography with good solar exposure and proximity to existing transmission infrastructure connecting major urban centers in Shandong Province.

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.