Solar PV Analysis of Palembang, Indonesia
Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia is a good location for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's in the Tropics where sunlight is pretty much the same throughout the year. The seasons here are more about wet and dry periods rather than changes in temperature or sunlight.
You can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity from solar panels installed here. On average, for every kilowatt of solar you install, you could produce around 4.68 kWh of electricity per day in Summer, 5.17 kWh/day in Autumn, 5.08 kWh/day in Winter and 5.33 kWh/day in Spring.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location would be during Autumn and Spring when daily output per kW installed is highest.
If you're installing fixed panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 3 degrees North will give you the maximum total production from your solar panels over the course of a year.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels:
- Environmental: Palembang has high levels of air pollution which may reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
- Weather: The city has a tropical rainforest climate with high rainfall throughout the year which may affect panel efficiency.
- Topography: Palembang is low lying and prone to flooding which might damage installations if not properly protected.
To mitigate these issues:
- Regularly clean your panels to remove any dust or pollutants that might block sunlight.
- Install protective covers over your panels during heavy rains or consider adjustable mounts so they can be angled away from direct rainfall.
- Consider raising panel installations above ground level to protect against flood damage.
Despite these potential challenges, with proper installation and maintenance procedures in place, Palembang's consistent tropical sunshine makes it an ideal location for harnessing solar power all-year-round!
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 Palembang
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -2.9146, Longitude: 104.7535 (Palembang, 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 3° North in Palembang, Indonesia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Palembang, Indonesia (Lat/Long -2.9146, 104.7535) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° 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 Palembang, 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 Palembang, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° 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 | 9° North in Autumn | 19° North in Winter | 3° 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 Palembang, 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 Palembang, 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 Palembang, Indonesia
Palembang is located in the southern part of Sumatra, Indonesia. The topography around Palembang is relatively flat with some hilly areas to the west and east. It's situated near the Musi River which flows through the city before emptying into the Bangka Strait to the southeast.
The region experiences a tropical rainforest climate, with relatively high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year. Although it receives fairly consistent sunlight due to its proximity to the equator, frequent rainfall could impact solar PV efficiency.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with flat terrain would be most suitable as they would minimize installation costs and maximize exposure to sunlight. Areas away from urban development or dense vegetation would also be preferred to avoid shading issues.
Given these factors, potential locations for large-scale solar PV around Palembang could include:
1) Flat agricultural lands or unused lands on outskirts of city: These areas are typically less shaded and easier for construction.
2) Rooftops of commercial or industrial buildings: Utilizing these spaces can help save land resources while benefiting from existing infrastructure.
However, a detailed feasibility study including aspects such as local weather patterns, soil type, grid connectivity etc., should be conducted before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
Additionally, considering Indonesia's abundant geothermal and hydroelectric resources (especially in Sumatra), it might be beneficial exploring these renewable energy sources alongside solar power.
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: Monday 18th of March 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.
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.
