Cirebon, West Java, Indonesia, located at latitude -6.7054 and longitude 108.5496, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Year-round Solar Production

The solar energy potential in Cirebon remains relatively stable across all seasons, with slight variations: Spring: 5.71 kWh/day Summer: 4.62 kWh/day Autumn: 5.64 kWh/day Winter: 5.35 kWh/day These figures represent the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity. The data suggests that spring and autumn are particularly productive seasons for solar energy generation in Cirebon.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Cirebon, West Java, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 7 degrees North. This slight tilt helps optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Cirebon's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The wet season, typically occurring from October to April, may slightly reduce solar output due to increased cloud cover and precipitation. 2. Humidity: High humidity levels can potentially impact solar panel efficiency and longevity. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install panels with anti-reflective coatings to maximize light absorption, even in overcast conditions.
• Use high-quality, weather-resistant materials to protect against humidity-related degradation.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any dust or debris that may accumulate during dry periods.

Overall, Cirebon's location offers excellent potential for solar energy generation, with consistent year-round production and only minor seasonal variations. By implementing appropriate installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar PV systems in this area can achieve optimal performance and longevity.

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 Cirebon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -6.7054, Longitude: 108.5496 (Cirebon, 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 Cirebon, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cirebon, Indonesia (Lat/Long -6.7054, 108.5496) 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 Cirebon, 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 Cirebon, 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	13° 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 Cirebon, 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 Cirebon, 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 Cirebon, Indonesia

Cirebon, a coastal city in West Java, Indonesia, is situated in a region with diverse topography. The city itself lies on a relatively flat coastal plain, but the surrounding landscape becomes more varied as you move inland. To the north of Cirebon, the terrain is predominantly low-lying and flat, characterized by coastal areas and extensive rice paddies. This flat landscape extends for several kilometers inland before gradually transitioning to more undulating terrain. The coastal areas are punctuated by mangrove forests and fish ponds, which are important for local livelihoods.

Rising Terrain to the South

As you move south from Cirebon, the landscape begins to rise gently. The flat coastal plain gives way to rolling hills and small valleys. This area is marked by a mix of agricultural land, including rice fields, fruit orchards, and small plantations. The terrain becomes increasingly hilly as you approach the foothills of Mount Ciremai, the highest peak in West Java, located about 40 kilometers southwest of Cirebon.

Mountainous West and Southwest

The western and southwestern regions surrounding Cirebon are dominated by more rugged, mountainous terrain. This area is part of the larger volcanic system that runs through Java. The landscape here is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys, and forested areas. Mount Ciremai, with its distinctive conical shape, is the most prominent feature in this region, rising to an elevation of approximately 3,078 meters above sea level.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Cirebon, the flat coastal plains to the north and northeast of the city offer the most promise. These areas benefit from several favorable factors: 1. Ample flat land: The expansive, level terrain provides ideal conditions for the installation of large solar arrays without the need for significant land preparation. 2. High solar irradiance: Being close to the equator, this region receives consistent and intense sunlight throughout the year, maximizing potential energy generation. 3. Accessibility: The flat landscape and existing infrastructure make these areas more easily accessible for construction and maintenance of solar facilities. 4. Lower competition for land use: While some of this land is used for agriculture, there are likely to be areas of less productive land that could be repurposed for solar energy production without significantly impacting food production. It's worth noting that while the hilly and mountainous areas to the south and west may receive good sunlight, they are less suitable for large-scale solar PV due to the challenging terrain and potential environmental impacts of clearing forested areas. Additionally, the coastal location means that any solar installations would need to be designed to withstand the corrosive effects of salt air and potential flooding risks.

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.