Bojonegoro, East Java, Indonesia presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. Located in the tropics at coordinates -7.1268, 112.095, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at Bojonegoro shows strong and relatively consistent performance across all seasons. During summer, solar panels can generate 5.01 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. The output improves significantly in autumn and winter, both producing 5.59 kWh per day per kW. Spring delivers the highest production at 5.92 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This seasonal pattern indicates that the cooler months of the year offer the best solar generation potential, with spring being particularly productive. The consistent output throughout the year makes this location highly suitable for solar installations, as energy production remains reliable regardless of the season.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at this Bojonegoro location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round solar production is 8 degrees North. This relatively shallow angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles, determining optimal panel positioning, and weighting these factors using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Bojonegoro and require careful consideration during installation:

• Monsoon rains and high humidity: The tropical wet season brings heavy rainfall and persistent humidity that can reduce solar panel efficiency and create maintenance challenges
• Dust and particulate matter: Dry seasons may result in dust accumulation on panels, while agricultural activities in the region can contribute to airborne particles
• Tropical storms: Indonesia's location makes it susceptible to severe weather events that could damage solar installations
• High temperatures: Consistent tropical heat can reduce panel efficiency, as solar panels perform less effectively at very high temperatures

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented:

• Proper drainage systems: Install panels with adequate spacing and drainage to prevent water accumulation during heavy rains
• Regular cleaning schedules: Establish routine maintenance programs to remove dust and debris, particularly important during dry seasons
• Robust mounting systems: Use wind-resistant mounting hardware designed to withstand tropical storm conditions
• Adequate ventilation: Ensure proper airflow around panels to reduce operating temperatures and maintain efficiency
• Quality inverters: Install inverters rated for high-temperature tropical conditions with proper cooling systems

Despite these potential challenges, Bojonegoro's consistent solar output throughout the year makes it a highly favorable location for solar energy generation, provided that installations are properly designed and maintained to handle the tropical environment.

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 Bojonegoro

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.1268, Longitude: 112.095 (Bojonegoro, 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 8° North in Bojonegoro, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bojonegoro, Indonesia (Lat/Long -7.1268, 112.095) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 8° 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 Bojonegoro, 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 Bojonegoro, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 8° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
9° South in Summer	14° North in Autumn	23° North in Winter	2° 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 Bojonegoro, 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 Bojonegoro, 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 Bojonegoro, Indonesia

Topographical Features of Bojonegoro Region

Bojonegoro is situated in the northern central part of East Java, Indonesia, positioned within a predominantly flat to gently undulating landscape that characterizes much of the Solo River valley. The terrain around this area consists primarily of alluvial plains formed by centuries of sediment deposition from the Bengawan Solo River, which flows northward through the region toward the Java Sea.

The elevation throughout most of Bojonegoro and its immediate surroundings remains relatively low, typically ranging from 15 to 50 meters above sea level. This creates an expansive, relatively uniform topography that extends for considerable distances in all directions. The landscape is punctuated by gentle rises and shallow depressions, but lacks any significant hills or mountainous terrain that would create substantial elevation changes or steep gradients.

To the south of Bojonegoro, the terrain begins a gradual ascent toward the foothills of the Southern Mountains of East Java, though this transition occurs over many kilometers and remains quite gentle. The northern areas continue the flat plain characteristics as the land approaches the coastal regions along the Java Sea, maintaining consistent low elevations and minimal topographical variation.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The extensive flat plains surrounding Bojonegoro present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas lie to the northeast and northwest of the city center, where vast stretches of relatively unused or agricultural land offer minimal topographical obstacles for solar array placement. These areas benefit from consistent, level terrain that would require minimal grading or earthwork preparation.

The southeastern plains also demonstrate strong potential for solar development, particularly in areas where the land transitions from intensive rice cultivation to mixed agricultural use. The gentle, uniform slopes in these regions would facilitate efficient panel orientation and maintenance access while minimizing construction complexity and associated costs.

Areas immediately adjacent to existing infrastructure corridors, particularly along the major transportation routes extending north toward Tuban and south toward Ngawi, offer additional advantages for large-scale solar installations. These locations combine favorable flat topography with proximity to electrical transmission infrastructure and transportation networks essential for construction and ongoing operations.

The western plains extending toward the Bengawan Solo River present another promising zone for solar development. While avoiding immediate flood-prone areas near the river itself, the slightly elevated terraces and former river terraces in this region provide stable, well-drained foundations suitable for extensive solar arrays. The consistent elevation and minimal vegetation in many of these areas would further reduce site preparation requirements and ongoing maintenance challenges.

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!

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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.