Weihui, Henan, China, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 35.4081, 114.0651, offers reasonably good conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. This location experiences distinct productivity patterns across the four seasons, making it a moderately favorable site for solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Weihui shows significant seasonal fluctuations. Summer stands out as the most productive period with an average daily output of 5.28kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind at 5.20kWh/day, making these two seasons the optimal times for solar generation in this region.

In contrast, autumn and winter show considerably reduced production levels. Autumn yields approximately 3.36kWh/day, while winter drops further to 3.08kWh/day per kW of installed capacity. This creates a pattern where roughly half the year offers excellent solar generation potential, while the other half provides moderate to lower output.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Weihui, Henan, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 32 degrees facing South. This specific tilt optimizes the capture of solar radiation throughout the year, balancing the seasonal variations in sun angle and intensity to achieve the best overall performance.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors may impact solar production in Weihui:

• Air pollution and haze from industrial activities in northern China can significantly reduce solar irradiance reaching panels, particularly during winter months when coal burning increases.
• Seasonal dust storms in spring, common in northern China, can temporarily decrease panel efficiency by creating a layer of particulate matter on panel surfaces.
• Winter snowfall, though not extremely heavy in this region, can temporarily cover panels and halt production if not promptly removed.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these challenges, several practical steps can be taken during solar installation and maintenance:

• Installing automated cleaning systems or implementing regular manual cleaning schedules to address dust and pollution buildup
• Using anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces to reduce dust adhesion
• Considering slightly steeper panel angles than the optimal 32 degrees in areas prone to snow accumulation to facilitate natural snow sliding
• Implementing air quality monitoring to predict periods of reduced production due to pollution events

With these considerations in mind, Weihui represents a moderately good location for solar PV deployment, with spring and summer offering excellent production potential that can help offset the reduced output during autumn and winter months.

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 Weihui

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.4081, Longitude: 114.0651 (Weihui, 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 Weihui, China

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Weihui, China (Lat/Long 35.4081, 114.0651) 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 Weihui, 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 Weihui, 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
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	51° 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 Weihui, 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 Weihui, 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 Weihui, China

The topography around Weihui, China presents a predominantly flat landscape characteristic of the North China Plain. Located in Henan Province, Weihui sits in an area where the terrain is largely level with minimal elevation changes. This flat expanse extends for considerable distances in all directions, with elevations generally ranging between 70 to 100 meters above sea level. The region features fertile alluvial soils deposited over millennia by the Yellow River system, which flows not far from this area.

Surrounding Landscape Features

To the west and northwest of Weihui, the landscape begins to show some gentle undulation as it transitions toward the Taihang Mountains, though these mountains themselves are still quite distant from the city. The eastern and southern approaches maintain the characteristic flatness of the North China Plain, with agricultural fields dominating the visual landscape. Small water bodies, including irrigation canals and minor rivers, intersect the otherwise uniform terrain. The region experiences a temperate continental monsoon climate, with distinct seasonal variations. This climate pattern, combined with the flat topography, creates conditions where sunlight exposure is relatively consistent across large areas, unimpeded by significant terrain features that might cast shadows.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the areas to the south and southwest of Weihui offer particularly favorable conditions. These regions combine several advantageous characteristics: The flat terrain in these directions extends for many kilometers without significant interruption, providing ample space for extensive solar arrays without requiring costly land grading or preparation. The absence of major hills or mountains means minimal shadowing effects throughout the day, maximizing potential solar capture. Agricultural land in these areas, while productive, includes patches of less fertile soil that could be repurposed for solar development with minimal impact on food production. The existing road infrastructure connecting these areas to Weihui and other nearby population centers would facilitate both construction and maintenance of solar facilities. The northeastern quadrant from Weihui would be somewhat less ideal, as it features more fragmented land use patterns with higher population density in scattered settlements. Similarly, areas directly to the northwest, where the terrain begins to become more varied, would present slightly more challenging conditions for large-scale installations, though still workable. Land approximately 15-20 kilometers to the south of Weihui represents perhaps the optimal balance of favorable topography, land availability, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. This area features extensive flat terrain with good solar exposure and relatively lower population density compared to the immediate surroundings of the city itself.

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.