Solar PV Analysis of Makassar, Indonesia
Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia, located at latitude -5.152 and longitude 119.437, presents a favorable environment for solar energy production throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.
The solar energy potential in Makassar is impressive, with relatively high electricity output across all meteorological seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, generating an average of 6.23 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Winter and autumn both yield 5.74 kWh/day, while summer produces a slightly lower but still substantial 4.74 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Makassar is an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation. The minimal variation between seasons ensures a steady and reliable power supply throughout the year, making it an ideal site for solar PV installations.
Optimal Panel Tilt
For fixed solar panel installations in Makassar, South Sulawesi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 6 degrees facing North. This slight tilt helps optimize solar capture throughout the year, accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Makassar's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- High humidity and frequent rainfall during the wet season may slightly reduce panel efficiency and require more frequent cleaning.
- Occasional tropical storms or cyclones could pose a risk to solar installations.
To mitigate these challenges, it's advisable to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand tropical conditions. Regular maintenance, including cleaning panels to remove dust and debris, is essential to maintain optimal performance. Additionally, installing a robust lightning protection system can safeguard the solar array during storms.
Despite these considerations, the consistent and abundant sunlight in Makassar makes it an exceptional location for solar energy production, with the potential for high yields throughout the year.
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 Makassar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -5.152, Longitude: 119.437 (Makassar, 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 6° North in Makassar, Indonesia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Makassar, Indonesia (Lat/Long -5.152, 119.437) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Makassar, 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 Makassar, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° South in Summer | 12° North in Autumn | 21° North in Winter | 1° 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 Makassar, 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 Makassar, Indonesia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Makassar, Indonesia
The topography around Makassar, Indonesia, is quite diverse and interesting. Makassar itself is situated on the southwestern coast of Sulawesi Island, facing the Makassar Strait. The city is primarily flat and low-lying, with much of its urban area close to sea level. This coastal plain extends for several kilometers inland before the terrain begins to change.
As you move away from the coast, the landscape gradually becomes more varied. To the east of Makassar, the terrain starts to rise, forming rolling hills and eventually leading to more mountainous regions. These hills are part of the larger mountain ranges that run through the center of Sulawesi Island. The transition from coastal plain to hilly terrain is relatively gradual, creating a mix of flat areas and gentle slopes in the immediate vicinity of the city.
To the north and south of Makassar, the coastline continues, interspersed with river deltas, mangrove swamps, and occasional rocky outcrops. The southern coast, in particular, features some beautiful beaches and small bays.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few promising options:
The flat, open areas just inland from the coast would be ideal for solar farms. These locations offer ample space, good sun exposure, and are generally easy to access. The gently rolling hills to the east of Makassar could also be suitable, as they provide slightly elevated positions with potentially less risk of flooding and good sun angles throughout the day.
However, it's important to note that the region around Makassar experiences a tropical climate with significant rainfall, especially during the wet season. This factor would need to be considered when planning any large-scale solar installations. Areas with good drainage and minimal risk of flooding would be preferable.
Additionally, any locations chosen for solar PV should avoid ecologically sensitive areas such as mangrove forests or protected natural habitats. Ideally, previously cleared or degraded land could be repurposed for solar energy production, providing both renewable energy and land rehabilitation benefits.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 27th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
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