San Tung Chung Hang, Islands District, Hong Kong, situated at 22.2833° N, 113.95° E, presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This tropical setting benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location demonstrates robust solar energy potential across all seasons. Summer yields the highest output at 5.38 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.04 kWh/day, while autumn and winter produce 4.65 kWh/day and 4.20 kWh/day, respectively. This relatively small variation between seasons indicates a stable year-round energy generation potential.

Optimal Generation Periods

The most productive periods for solar generation at this location are during summer and spring. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and typically clearer skies, maximizing solar panel efficiency. However, the consistent output across all seasons suggests that San Tung Chung Hang is well-suited for solar PV installations throughout the year.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 20 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While San Tung Chung Hang's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some factors to consider:

• Typhoons: Hong Kong experiences typhoons, which can potentially damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Heavy rainfall: The region's wet seasons can lead to reduced solar output due to cloud cover and rain.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should incorporate sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, using high-quality, water-resistant panels and ensuring proper drainage can help maintain efficiency during rainy periods. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can also prevent buildup of dust or debris that might accumulate during dry seasons, ensuring optimal performance year-round.

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 47 locations across Hong Kong. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Hong Kong by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in San Tung Chung Hang

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.2833, Longitude: 113.95 (San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong), 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 20° South in San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong (Lat/Long 22.2833, 113.95) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong

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 San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
6° South in Summer	28° South in Autumn	37° 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 San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong

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 San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong.

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 San Tung Chung Hang, Hong Kong

The topography around San Tung Chung Hang in Hong Kong is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines both natural and urban features. This area, located on Lantau Island, is surrounded by a mix of mountainous terrain and coastal lowlands. To the north and west of San Tung Chung Hang, the land rises into steep, forested hills that are part of the larger mountain range dominating Lantau Island. These hills are covered with dense vegetation and offer scenic views of the surrounding area. The slopes can be quite steep in places, creating a dramatic backdrop to the more developed areas nearby. To the south and east, the terrain gradually descends towards the coast. This area includes the more urbanized parts of Tung Chung, where residential and commercial developments have been built on reclaimed land. The coastline here is characterized by shallow waters and mudflats, typical of many parts of Hong Kong's coast.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, there are a few key factors to consider. The ideal location would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near San Tung Chung Hang would likely be found in the more developed, flatter areas to the south and east. The reclaimed land in Tung Chung, particularly areas that have not yet been fully developed, could potentially offer suitable sites for solar installations. These areas benefit from being relatively flat and free from obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. However, it's important to note that Hong Kong faces significant challenges in implementing large-scale solar PV due to its limited land area and high population density. Any potential sites would need to be carefully evaluated to balance the need for renewable energy with other land use priorities and environmental considerations. The mountainous areas to the north and west, while offering good sun exposure, would be less suitable for large-scale installations due to their steep terrain and forested nature. These areas are also likely to be protected for their ecological value, further limiting their potential for solar development. In conclusion, while the area around San Tung Chung Hang offers some potential for solar PV development, particularly in the more urbanized coastal areas, the challenging topography and limited available land make large-scale installations a complex proposition that would require careful planning and consideration.

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.