Solar Energy Potential in Ancol, Indonesia

Ancol, located in Indonesia, presents a promising location for solar energy generation. Situated in the tropics, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasonal variations primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant changes in temperature or daylight hours. The solar energy production potential in Ancol shows relatively stable output across all meteorological seasons. During spring, the location achieves its highest production at 5.42 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Autumn follows closely with 5.35 kWh/day, while winter delivers 5.04 kWh/day. Summer shows the lowest output at 4.71 kWh/day per kilowatt installed, though the difference between seasons remains relatively modest compared to locations at higher latitudes. For fixed solar panel installations in Ancol, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 7 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing the sun's position throughout the year at this location and weighting it against the daily solar potential.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Ancol:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (approximately October to March) can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and direct rainfall on panels.
• Air pollution from nearby Jakarta may create a haze that diminishes solar irradiance reaching the panels.
• High humidity levels can cause dust and particulates to adhere more readily to panel surfaces.
• Potential flooding in low-lying areas could damage ground-mounted solar installations.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented. Installing panels with slightly steeper angles than the optimal 7 degrees can help with self-cleaning during rainfall. Regular cleaning schedules should be implemented, particularly during the dry season when dust accumulation is more pronounced. Elevating ground-mounted systems above potential flood levels is crucial for installations in flood-prone areas. Additionally, using high-quality inverters with broad operating ranges can help maximize energy harvest during periods of variable cloud cover. Anti-reflective and hydrophobic coatings on panels can reduce dust accumulation and improve performance in high-humidity conditions. Despite these considerations, Ancol's consistent solar irradiance throughout the year makes it a generally favorable location for solar PV installations, with annual production levels that remain relatively stable across seasons.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Indonesia by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ancol

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -6.1142, Longitude: 106.8619 (Ancol, Indonesia), 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 7° North in Ancol, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ancol, Indonesia (Lat/Long -6.1142, 106.8619) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° North 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 Ancol, Indonesia

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 Ancol, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
10° South in Summer	12° North in Autumn	22° North in Winter	1° North 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 Ancol, Indonesia

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 Ancol, Indonesia.

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 Ancol, Indonesia

Ancol, situated in the northern part of Jakarta, Indonesia, presents a predominantly flat topography characteristic of coastal urban environments. The area lies along the coastline of Jakarta Bay, which forms part of the Java Sea. The terrain is generally low-lying with minimal elevation changes, typical of a coastal plain that has been extensively developed for urban and recreational purposes. The immediate surroundings of Ancol feature a mix of built environments, including the popular Ancol Dreamland recreation complex, residential areas, and commercial developments. The coastal nature of this location means that much of the land is at or very near sea level, with minimal natural topographical features remaining due to extensive urban development over decades.

Surrounding Areas and Terrain

Moving slightly inland from Ancol, the topography remains relatively flat as is typical of Jakarta's northern regions. The area is part of a broader alluvial plain formed by sediment deposition from rivers flowing through Jakarta, primarily the Ciliwung River and its tributaries. This results in predominantly clay and sandy soils that have been largely built upon. To the south of Ancol, the terrain begins to rise very gradually as one moves toward central and southern Jakarta. This slight increase in elevation is barely perceptible in many areas due to urban development, but generally, southern Jakarta sits at a marginally higher elevation than the northern coastal regions.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Ancol, several factors beyond mere topography must be considered, including land availability, existing development, and proximity to electrical infrastructure. The flat nature of the terrain in and around Ancol is technically favorable for solar PV installation, as it minimizes grading requirements and simplifies construction. However, the dense urban development in this area presents significant challenges for large-scale solar projects. More suitable areas for large-scale solar PV development might be found in: The industrial zones to the east of Ancol in areas like Marunda and Cilincing offer some potential. These areas have larger plots of land and existing industrial infrastructure that could potentially accommodate solar installations on rooftops or repurposed land. The coastal reclamation areas, while controversial from an environmental perspective, provide flat, unobstructed spaces that could potentially host solar installations if properly planned and permitted. Moving further east toward Bekasi or northwest toward Tangerang might offer better opportunities for ground-mounted solar PV installations, as these areas have more available undeveloped land while still being relatively flat.

Topographical Considerations for Solar Installation

The flat topography around Ancol means that solar installations would not face challenges related to steep slopes or difficult terrain. This flatness is advantageous for construction and maintenance access, though it also means that natural elevation-based advantages (which can sometimes help minimize shading issues) are not present. Drainage considerations are important in this flat, coastal area. Parts of northern Jakarta, including areas near Ancol, are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall events, particularly as some areas have experienced land subsidence over time. Any large-scale solar installation would need robust drainage systems and possibly elevated mounting structures to mitigate flood risks. The coastal location also means that solar installations would need to account for potential exposure to salt spray and humid air, which can accelerate corrosion of components if not properly selected and maintained. In summary, while the topography around Ancol is technically suitable for solar PV from a terrain perspective, the urban nature of the area means that large-scale installations would likely need to look to industrial zones, reclaimed areas, or regions further from the immediate Ancol vicinity to find sufficient suitable land.

Indonesia solar PV Stats as a country

Indonesia ranks 71st in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 211 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Indonesia is generating 1 Watts from solar PV per capita (Indonesia ranks 88th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Indonesia?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Indonesia. The Indonesian government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, feed-in tariffs, and other financial incentives. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants for research and development projects related to renewable energy technologies.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Indonesia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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.