Longkou, Shandong, China, located at latitude 37.6539 and longitude 120.3182 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with notable seasonal variations in output.

The solar energy production at this location shows significant fluctuation throughout the year. Summer is the most productive season with an average daily output of 5.49kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.37kWh/day. Production decreases considerably in autumn to 3.46kWh/day, with winter showing the lowest output at 2.83kWh/day per kW installed.

For fixed solar panel installations in Longkou, Shandong, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing the optimal panel orientation relative to the sun's position throughout the year, weighted by the solar potential at this specific location.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Longkou. The coastal location may expose solar installations to salt spray, which can gradually corrode components and reduce efficiency. Installing marine-grade equipment and implementing regular cleaning routines can help mitigate this issue.

Longkou experiences seasonal dust storms in spring, particularly from the Gobi Desert, which can deposit particulate matter on solar panels and reduce their efficiency. Automated cleaning systems or regular maintenance schedules can help maintain optimal performance during these periods.

Winter in this region brings occasional snowfall that can cover panels and halt production. Installing panels at the recommended 33-degree tilt helps with natural snow shedding, while snow removal systems may be necessary for consistent winter production.

The significant seasonal variation in output suggests that system sizing should account for the winter minimum, or that supplementary energy sources should be considered for the lower-production months from late autumn through winter.

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 Longkou

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.6539, Longitude: 120.3182 (Longkou, 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 33° South in Longkou, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Longkou, China (Lat/Long 37.6539, 120.3182) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Longkou, 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 Longkou, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
21° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	52° South in Winter	30° 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 Longkou, 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 Longkou, 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 Longkou, China

The area surrounding Longkou, China, located at 37.6539° N, 120.3182° E, presents a diverse topographical landscape characterized by a mixture of coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain. Situated on the northern coast of the Shandong Peninsula, Longkou benefits from its position along the Bohai Sea, which influences both its climate and landscape. The immediate coastal region of Longkou features relatively flat plains that gradually rise into gently rolling hills as one moves inland. This transition from coastal flatlands to elevated terrain creates a varied landscape that has been shaped by both natural processes and human activity over centuries. The elevation generally increases as one moves south from the coastline, with some hills reaching moderate heights that provide natural viewpoints over the surrounding area.

Coastal Features

The coastline of Longkou is characterized by several bays and natural harbors, which have historically supported the city's development as a port. The coastal area includes some sandy beaches interspersed with rocky outcroppings, while the land immediately adjacent to the shore consists primarily of flat, low-lying areas that have been extensively developed for urban and industrial purposes.

Inland Terrain

Moving inland from the coast, the landscape transitions to more varied terrain with rolling hills becoming a dominant feature. These hills are generally not extremely steep but provide sufficient elevation change to create distinct microclimates throughout the region. Some valleys cut between these hills, creating natural corridors that have historically served as transportation routes. Further south and west of Longkou, the terrain becomes more mountainous, forming part of the greater mountain systems of the Shandong Peninsula. These mountains, while not exceptionally high by Chinese standards, represent a significant topographical feature that influences local weather patterns and land use.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas near Longkou for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several topographical factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be the gently sloping hills and plateaus located inland from the immediate coastal zone. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The rolling hills south of the urban center provide excellent terrain for solar installations, as they offer good sun exposure while not being steep enough to complicate construction. Many of these hills feature south-facing slopes that would maximize solar radiation capture throughout the year. The moderate elevation also helps to reduce fog exposure that sometimes affects the immediate coastal areas. The inland plains and plateaus between the hills also present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These relatively flat areas would minimize earthwork requirements during construction while still benefiting from the clear atmospheric conditions that prevail away from the immediate coast. Some agricultural lands in these areas might be suitable for dual-use solar installations that allow for continued farming beneath elevated panels. Areas to avoid for solar development would include the steeper mountain slopes to the far south and west, where construction would be challenging and shading from adjacent peaks might reduce efficiency. Similarly, the immediate coastal zone, while flat, experiences more frequent fog and atmospheric moisture that could reduce solar efficiency compared to slightly inland locations. The transition zones between hills and plains often represent optimal locations, combining good solar exposure with practical construction conditions. These areas typically have adequate drainage and reduced risk of flooding compared to the lowest-lying areas. In terms of infrastructure support, the existing road network connecting Longkou to surrounding areas would facilitate the transportation of equipment and materials needed for large-scale solar installations, particularly in the areas south and southwest of the urban center where suitable topography coincides with accessibility.

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.