Cicurug Dua, West Java, Indonesia, located in the tropics, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation. This location benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional four-season cycles.

The solar energy potential at this site is remarkably stable across all meteorological seasons. Autumn stands out as the most productive period, yielding 5.78 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely with 5.37 kWh/day, while winter and summer produce 5.27 kWh/day and 5.18 kWh/day, respectively. This minimal variation between seasons indicates that Cicurug Dua is well-suited for year-round solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 7 degrees facing North. This slight tilt helps optimize energy capture throughout the year, accounting for the site's proximity to the equator and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Cicurug Dua's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Rainfall: The region experiences a wet season, which could potentially reduce solar efficiency. To mitigate this, panels should be installed at the recommended angle to facilitate water runoff and prevent accumulation.

2. Humidity: High humidity levels can lead to condensation on panels. Using high-quality, weather-resistant materials and ensuring proper ventilation around the panels can help address this issue.

3. Dust and debris: Tropical environments can accumulate dust and organic matter on panel surfaces. Regular cleaning and maintenance schedules should be implemented to maintain optimal performance.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Cicurug Dua can capitalize on the location's excellent year-round solar potential, making it an ideal site for sustainable energy production.

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 Cicurug Dua

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.0432, Longitude: 107.2837 (Cicurug Dua, 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 Cicurug Dua, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cicurug Dua, Indonesia (Lat/Long -7.0432, 107.2837) 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 Cicurug Dua, 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 Cicurug Dua, 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
9° South in Summer	13° 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 Cicurug Dua, 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 Cicurug Dua, 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 Cicurug Dua, Indonesia

The area surrounding Cicurug Dua, Indonesia, located at latitude -7.0432 and longitude 107.2837, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. This region is part of West Java, known for its lush landscapes and varied terrain. The immediate vicinity of Cicurug Dua features a mix of gently rolling hills and flat plains. The area is nestled within a broader landscape of volcanic mountains, which are a prominent feature of Java's topography. These mountains create a stunning backdrop to the more modest elevations found closer to Cicurug Dua. To the north and east of Cicurug Dua, the land gradually rises, forming part of the southern slopes of Mount Gede-Pangrango. This dormant stratovolcano complex dominates the skyline and influences the local topography significantly. The slopes of these mountains are covered in dense tropical forests, which give way to agricultural lands and settlements at lower elevations. Towards the south and west, the terrain becomes more level, transitioning into expansive plains that are extensively used for agriculture. Rice paddies and other crop fields create a patchwork of green hues across the landscape. Interspersed among these agricultural areas are small villages and towns, connected by a network of roads that wind through the countryside.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine favorable topography with high solar irradiance and minimal environmental impact. The flat plains to the south and west of Cicurug Dua present the most promising areas for large-scale solar PV development. These expansive, level areas offer several advantages for solar installations. The lack of significant elevation changes makes construction and maintenance easier, and the open terrain minimizes shading issues that could reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, some of the gently sloping hillsides in the region could also be suitable for solar farms. South-facing slopes, in particular, would receive optimal sunlight throughout the day, potentially increasing energy generation. However, care would need to be taken to avoid areas with dense forest cover or those prone to landslides. It's important to note that while the topography in these areas may be suitable, other factors such as land ownership, proximity to power infrastructure, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the feasibility of large-scale solar PV projects. Any development would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of agricultural land and natural habitats that are vital to the region's ecology and economy.

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.