Solar PV Analysis of Zhongshan, China
In simple terms, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China is a pretty good place for producing solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent most of the time and seasons are more about wet and dry periods rather than big temperature changes.
Here's what you can expect from each season:
- Summer will give you about 5.36 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed.
- Autumn will give you around 4.69 kWh/day per kW.
- Winter will produce roughly 4.25 kWh/day per kW.
- Spring should generate approximately 5.04 kWh/day per kW.
So while there are slight differences across the seasons, overall, it's a fairly steady supply of sun power throughout the year.
The best times to generate solar at this location would be during spring and summer when sunlight hours are longest and intensity is highest. However, even during autumn and winter months, there’s still a decent amount of sunlight available to produce energy.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 21 degrees towards the South would help maximize total yearly production from your solar panels.
However, like any other place on earth, there could be local factors that might affect how much energy you can get from your panels:
1) Weather – Zhongshan has a subtropical climate with high humidity levels especially during summer months which may reduce efficiency as heat can decrease performance of solar cells.
2) Pollution – As part of industrial Pearl River Delta region air quality might not always be ideal due to pollution which could block some sunlight reaching your panels.
To deal with these issues:
1) Cooling systems or adequate ventilation can help keep temperatures down for better panel efficiency in hot seasons.
2) Regular cleaning/maintenance schedule helps ensure that dust or pollutants don't build up on panel surfaces, blocking sunlight.
In conclusion, Zhongshan offers a pretty steady and reliable source of sunlight for solar power generation throughout the year. With the right installation angle and some preventive measures to deal with local factors like heat and pollution, it can be an effective location for harnessing solar energy.
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 Zhongshan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.5326, Longitude: 113.3646 (Zhongshan, 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 21° South in Zhongshan, China
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Zhongshan, China (Lat/Long 22.5326, 113.3646) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Zhongshan, 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 Zhongshan, China. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° South in Summer | 28° South in Autumn | 38° South in Winter | 15° 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 Zhongshan, 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 Zhongshan, 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 Zhongshan, China
Zhongshan, China is located in the Pearl River Delta region of Guangdong province. The topography is primarily flat with some low-lying hills. It has a subtropical maritime climate characterized by high temperature and abundant rainfall.
As for solar PV installations, flat areas are typically more suitable as they require less land grading which can be expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, the vast flat terrain around Zhongshan could potentially be utilized for large-scale solar PV projects.
In addition to topography, there are other factors that need to be considered when identifying suitable sites for solar PV installations including:
1) Solar Irradiance: Southern China (including Zhongshan) generally has good solar irradiance levels which makes it suitable for solar power generation.
2) Accessibility: Sites need to be easily accessible for installation and maintenance purposes.
3) Proximity to Power Grid: Sites close to existing power grids would reduce costs associated with transmitting the generated electricity.
4) Land Use Constraints: Any potential site would have to consider local land use regulations or restrictions. For instance, agricultural lands might not be available or appropriate for such developments.
5) Environmental Impact: Potential environmental impacts should also be assessed before deciding on a location.
Considering these factors along with the topography would help identify the most suited areas nearby Zhongshan city for large-scale solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 6th of July 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.
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