Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia presents an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels. Located in the heart of Borneo at coordinates -2.2074, 113.9164, this tropical city benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasonal variations determined more by rainfall patterns than temperature changes.

Solar Energy Output Performance

The solar energy production data for Palangkaraya shows remarkably consistent performance across all seasons. Autumn emerges as the peak season with 5.57 kWh per day per installed kilowatt, followed closely by spring at 5.31 kWh/day. Summer and winter show similar outputs at 5.26 kWh/day and 5.18 kWh/day respectively. This consistency makes Palangkaraya highly suitable for solar installations, as energy production remains reliable throughout the year. The relatively small variation between seasons (only 0.39 kWh difference between the highest and lowest performing seasons) indicates that solar panels will provide dependable electricity generation regardless of the time of year. For optimal performance, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 2 degrees facing north. This specific angle has been calculated to maximize total year-round energy production by accounting for the sun's path throughout the year and the location's proximity to the equator.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Despite the favorable solar conditions, several local factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Palangkaraya:

• Heavy tropical rainfall: The wet season brings intense downpours that can reduce solar irradiance and create cloud cover
• High humidity levels: Persistent moisture in the air can affect panel efficiency and create condensation issues
• Dust and debris accumulation: Tropical vegetation and occasional haze from regional fires can coat panels
• Extreme heat: High ambient temperatures can reduce panel efficiency

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several strategies can help maintain high solar energy production despite these challenges:

• Regular cleaning systems: Install automated washing systems or schedule frequent manual cleaning to remove dust, pollen, and debris
• Proper ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow around panels to reduce heat buildup and improve cooling
• Quality mounting systems: Use corrosion-resistant materials designed for tropical climates to withstand high humidity and rainfall
• Drainage considerations: Design installations with proper water runoff to prevent standing water and potential electrical issues

The tropical climate's consistent sunlight makes these preventative measures worthwhile investments. With proper installation and maintenance, solar panels in Palangkaraya can achieve excellent energy production throughout the year, making it an ideal location for both residential and commercial solar energy projects.

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 Palangkaraya

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -2.2074, Longitude: 113.9164 (Palangkaraya, 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 2° North in Palangkaraya, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Palangkaraya, Indonesia (Lat/Long -2.2074, 113.9164) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 2° 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 Palangkaraya, 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 Palangkaraya, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 2° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
13° South in Summer	8° North in Autumn	18° North in Winter	4° 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 Palangkaraya, 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 Palangkaraya, 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 Palangkaraya, Indonesia

Topographical Features of Palangkaraya

Palangkaraya sits in the heart of Central Kalimantan, positioned within the vast lowland plains that characterize much of Indonesian Borneo. The city and its surrounding region occupy relatively flat terrain at low elevation, typically ranging between 20 to 50 meters above sea level. This gentle topography is part of the extensive Kapuas River basin, which creates a landscape dominated by wetlands, peat swamps, and tropical rainforest.

The terrain around Palangkaraya is predominantly flat to gently undulating, with minimal elevation changes across large distances. The Kahayan River flows through the area, creating a network of waterways and tributaries that have shaped the local geography over millennia. These river systems have deposited sediments across the region, contributing to the relatively uniform, low-lying landscape that extends in all directions from the city.

Much of the surrounding area consists of peatland and swamp forest, interspersed with areas that have been cleared for agriculture, particularly oil palm plantations. The natural vegetation includes dense tropical rainforest, though significant portions have been modified through human activity. The soil composition varies between organic peat deposits in wetland areas and mineral soils in slightly elevated locations.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Palangkaraya would be the cleared agricultural areas and former plantation sites that offer stable, relatively dry ground conditions. These areas provide the necessary flat terrain while avoiding the complications associated with peatland development, such as ground instability and environmental concerns.

Areas to the north and northeast of Palangkaraya present particularly favorable conditions, where the terrain remains flat but sits on more stable mineral soils rather than deep peat deposits. These locations often feature former logging areas or established agricultural zones that have already undergone land clearing and basic infrastructure development. The existing road networks in these areas would facilitate construction and maintenance access for solar installations.

The slightly elevated areas along major transportation corridors, particularly those following the Trans-Kalimantan Highway system, offer additional advantages for solar development. These locations typically feature better drainage characteristics and more stable ground conditions compared to the lower-lying wetland areas. The proximity to existing electrical transmission infrastructure along these corridors would also reduce the costs and complexity of grid connection for large solar facilities.

Areas near established industrial zones or mining operations could provide synergistic opportunities, as these locations often have existing electrical infrastructure and cleared land suitable for solar development. However, careful site selection would be essential to avoid areas with ongoing peat fires or unstable ground conditions that could affect the long-term viability of solar installations.

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.