Shantou, Guangdong, China, located at 23.3467°N, 116.6817°E, presents a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this coastal city experiences consistent sunlight and seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature extremes.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel efficiency in Shantou varies slightly across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. The expected daily electricity output per kW of installed solar capacity is as follows:

• Summer: 5.44 kWh/day
• Spring: 5.10 kWh/day
• Autumn: 4.98 kWh/day
• Winter: 4.44 kWh/day

These figures indicate a relatively stable solar energy production throughout the year, with only a modest decline during winter months. The most ideal time for solar generation is from late spring through early autumn when daylight hours are longer and skies are generally clearer.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Shantou, Guangdong, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 22 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Shantou's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Typhoons: Shantou's coastal location makes it vulnerable to typhoons, which can potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels should be used. Regular maintenance and inspections, especially before and after typhoon season, are crucial.

2. Humidity and salt air: The city's proximity to the sea exposes solar panels to high humidity and salt air, which can accelerate corrosion. Using corrosion-resistant materials for panel frames and mounting hardware, as well as applying protective coatings, can help extend the lifespan of the solar installation.

3. Monsoon rains: Shantou experiences a monsoon climate, with heavy rainfall during certain months. While rain can help clean panels, persistent cloud cover during these periods may reduce solar output. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps with natural cleaning and ensures better performance during overcast conditions.

By addressing these environmental factors through proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar energy systems in Shantou can achieve high efficiency and longevity, making the most of the city's favorable solar conditions.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

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 Shantou

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.3467, Longitude: 116.6817 (Shantou, 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 22° South in Shantou, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shantou, China (Lat/Long 23.3467, 116.6817) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Shantou, 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 Shantou, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° South in Summer	28° South in Autumn	38° South in Winter	16° 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 Shantou, 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 Shantou, 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 Shantou, China

Shantou, located in the eastern part of Guangdong Province in southern China, is characterized by a diverse topography that includes coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous areas. The city itself is situated on a coastal plain, with the South China Sea to its east and southeast. This coastal area features long stretches of sandy beaches and shallow bays, providing Shantou with its famous harbor. Moving inland from the coast, the terrain gradually transitions into gently rolling hills. These hills become more pronounced as you travel further west and northwest of the city. The landscape in this region is dotted with small valleys, streams, and agricultural land, creating a patchwork of green fields and modest elevations. To the north and northwest of Shantou, the topography becomes more rugged, with higher hills and small mountains. This area is part of the larger Lianhua Mountain range, which extends across much of eastern Guangdong. These mountains, while not extremely high, provide a stark contrast to the coastal plains and create a natural boundary for the city's expansion.

Areas Suitable for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Shantou, several factors come into play, including available land, sunlight exposure, and proximity to existing infrastructure. Based on the topography of the region, a few areas stand out as potentially suitable: The coastal plains to the east and southeast of Shantou offer large, flat areas that could be ideal for solar farms. These locations receive ample sunlight and have minimal shading from geographical features. However, consideration must be given to potential conflicts with urban development and agricultural use. The gently rolling hills to the west and southwest of the city present another opportunity for solar PV installations. These areas often have south-facing slopes that can maximize sun exposure throughout the day. Additionally, they may be less suitable for agriculture or urban development, making them available for alternative uses like solar energy production. Some of the higher elevation areas in the north and northwest, while more challenging to develop, could also be suitable for solar farms. These locations might benefit from reduced air pollution and cooler temperatures, which can improve solar panel efficiency. However, careful site selection would be necessary to avoid areas with steep slopes or dense vegetation. It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as land ownership, environmental considerations, and grid connectivity would need to be thoroughly assessed before implementing any large-scale solar PV projects. Additionally, local regulations and development plans would play a crucial role in determining the feasibility of such installations in the Shantou 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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.