Solar PV Analysis of Palu, Indonesia
The location of Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia is quite good for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is pretty consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons there are often more about wet and dry periods rather than large temperature fluctuations.
Looking at the energy that could be generated from solar panels, we see that there's not too much variation across different seasons. In Summer, we can expect around 5.00kWh per day for each kW of solar installed; Autumn would give slightly more at 5.62kWh/day; Winter drops a little to 5.10kWh/day; and Spring goes up again to 5.58kWh/day.
This means that while there are slight differences in how much energy you'd get over different times of the year, generally speaking any time would be good for generating solar power here because you're always getting a decent amount of sunlight.
Now when installing solar panels here, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 1 degree facing North to get the most out of them over the course of a whole year.
As for local factors that might affect how well your panels work: one thing could be weather conditions during wet season which may reduce sunlight exposure due to cloud cover or heavy rainfall leading to dirt accumulation on panels reducing their efficiency. But this shouldn't be too big an issue as long as regular maintenance and cleaning are carried out on your panels.
Another factor could be topography if there are mountains or other large structures casting shadows on your panels - but this really depends on exactly where you're planning to install them so it needs individual assessment.
Overall though, Palu seems like a great place for making use of solar power!
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 Palu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -0.9076, Longitude: 119.8681 (Palu, 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 1° North in Palu, Indonesia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Palu, Indonesia (Lat/Long -0.9076, 119.8681) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 1° 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 Palu, 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 Palu, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 1° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° South in Summer | 7° North in Autumn | 17° North in Winter | 5° 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 Palu, 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 Palu, 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 Palu, Indonesia
Palu, Indonesia is located in a coastal area on the island of Sulawesi. The topography around Palu is diverse, with flat coastal plains giving way to hilly and mountainous terrain as one moves inland. The city itself sits in a narrow valley surrounded by hills.
The region has a tropical climate with high levels of sunlight throughout the year, which makes it suitable for solar PV installations. However, the choice of location for large-scale solar PV would depend on several factors like land availability, proximity to power transmission infrastructure and local regulations.
Flat areas close to the coast or on the plains would generally be more suited for large-scale solar PV because they require less site preparation and are easier to access for installation and maintenance. However, these areas may be subject to flooding or sea level rise due to climate change.
Hilly or mountainous areas could also be used if there is enough flat space available but might have higher site preparation costs due to uneven terrain. They might also have less sun exposure if they are shaded by surrounding hills or mountains.
In terms of specific locations near Palu that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV:
1) The plains south and east of Palu could potentially accommodate large solar farms.
2) There are also extensive flat areas along the coast north-west of Palu that might be suitable.
3) Some relatively flat valley areas in between hills/mountains can also serve as potential sites.
It should be noted that actual site selection would need detailed feasibility studies including land ownership status, environmental impact assessments etc.
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: Thursday 8th of February 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.
