Yancheng, Jiangsu, China, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a fairly good location for generating energy year-round via solar PV. The amount of electricity that can be generated depends on the season: during summer you can expect to generate about 5.22 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar; in autumn it's around 3.88 kWh/day; winter drops to about 3.20 kWh/day; and spring sees an increase back up to approximately 4.94 kWh/day.
This means that the most ideal time of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant and direct. However, even during other seasons, there's still a reasonable amount of solar energy that could be harnessed.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, it would be best to tilt panels at an angle of 30 degrees facing south in order to get maximum sunlight exposure throughout the year.
However, there might also be environmental or weather factors that could affect solar production here - such as dust storms which are common in some parts of China and could cover panels reducing their efficiency or heavy rainfall which might damage them if they're not properly protected.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy production too much you should regularly clean your panels to remove any dust or debris build-up and install them with sturdy materials capable of withstanding heavy rainfalls or winds if those are common in Yancheng area.
In conclusion: while not perfect due to potential seasonal fluctuations and possible environmental challenges - with proper maintenance and installation procedures - Yancheng can still provide quite decent conditions for harnessing solar power throughout the year.
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 Yancheng
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.364, Longitude: 120.1592 (Yancheng, 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 30° South in Yancheng, China
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yancheng, China (Lat/Long 33.364, 120.1592) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Yancheng, 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 Yancheng, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 26° 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 Yancheng, 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 Yancheng, China.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Yancheng, China
Yancheng, China is located in the eastern coastal region of Jiangsu Province. The topography of this area is generally flat, characterized by plains and low-lying areas with a significant amount of marshland due to its proximity to the Yellow Sea. This makes it susceptible to flooding but also provides fertile soil for agriculture.
The climate in Yancheng is humid subtropical with four distinct seasons, including hot summers and cool winters. It receives an average annual sunshine duration of about 2,200 hours which makes it suitable for solar power generation.
Areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would be those that are relatively flat and open - these could include agricultural lands not currently under intensive cultivation or other unused land spaces. In particular, the southern part of Yancheng near Dafeng District might be suitable as it has vast open areas that receive ample sunlight.
However, any decision on where to install large-scale solar PV should take into account various factors such as local regulations regarding land use, potential environmental impacts especially on wetlands and wildlife habitats (e.g., red-crowned crane sanctuary), proximity to electricity grid connections among others.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 27th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.




