Tongling, Anhui, China, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a relatively favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 30.9478 and longitude 117.7873 provides a good balance of sunlight across the seasons, making it a viable option for solar power installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Tongling varies across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 4.85 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring and autumn follow closely, generating 3.96 kWh/day and 4.05 kWh/day, respectively. Winter, as expected, sees the lowest production at 3.06 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output.

The region experiences its peak solar potential from late spring through early autumn, typically spanning May to September. During these months, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to optimal energy generation conditions.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Tongling, Anhui, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 28 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

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

1. Rainfall: The region experiences a subtropical monsoon climate with significant rainfall, particularly during the summer months. This can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
2. Air pollution: As an industrial city, Tongling may face air quality issues that could slightly diminish solar irradiance reaching the panels.

To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:

• Use high-quality, water-resistant panels and ensure proper sealing of all electrical components to protect against moisture damage.
• Install panels at a steeper angle to promote self-cleaning during rainfall, reducing the impact of dust and pollutants.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to maintain optimal panel performance, especially during drier periods when dust accumulation may be higher.

Overall, despite these minor challenges, Tongling's location provides a solid foundation for solar PV energy generation, with consistent output throughout the year and particularly strong performance during the warmer months.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Tongling

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.9478, Longitude: 117.7873 (Tongling, 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 28° South in Tongling, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tongling, China (Lat/Long 30.9478, 117.7873) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Tongling, 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 Tongling, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	47° South in Winter	23° 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 Tongling, 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 Tongling, 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 Tongling, China

The topography surrounding Tongling, China, is characterized by a diverse landscape that reflects the region's geological history and natural features. Located in Anhui Province, Tongling sits along the southern banks of the Yangtze River, which has played a significant role in shaping the area's terrain. The city itself is situated on relatively flat land, with urban development spreading across the river plain. However, as one moves away from the city center, the landscape becomes more varied and interesting. To the south and southeast of Tongling, the terrain gradually rises into a series of rolling hills and low mountains. These elevations are part of the broader Huangshan Mountain range, which is famous for its scenic beauty and distinctive granite peaks. To the west and southwest of Tongling, the land remains predominantly flat, with occasional gentle slopes and small hills. This area is part of the Yangtze River floodplain and is characterized by fertile agricultural land interspersed with numerous lakes, ponds, and wetlands. The presence of these water bodies contributes to the region's importance for agriculture and aquaculture.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Tongling that would be most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would offer ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal conflict with existing land uses or environmentally sensitive areas. The flat, open areas to the west and southwest of Tongling present the most promising opportunities for large-scale solar PV development. These regions benefit from expansive, unobstructed spaces that receive consistent sunlight throughout the day. The lack of significant elevation changes makes construction and maintenance of solar arrays more straightforward and cost-effective. However, it's important to note that much of this land is currently used for agriculture, which may create challenges in terms of land acquisition and potential food security concerns. Developers would need to carefully balance the benefits of renewable energy production with the preservation of valuable agricultural resources. The hilly areas to the south and southeast of Tongling, while less ideal for expansive solar farms, could potentially accommodate smaller-scale installations on south-facing slopes. These locations might be suitable for distributed solar projects or community-based initiatives that can take advantage of the varied terrain. In conclusion, while the topography around Tongling offers diverse landscapes, the flat regions to the west and southwest present the most favorable conditions for large-scale solar PV development. However, any such projects would need to be carefully planned and implemented to address potential conflicts with existing land uses and environmental considerations.

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.

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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.