Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, located at latitude -0.4931 and longitude 117.1495, 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 traditional four-season cycles.

Year-round Solar Potential

The solar energy output in Samarinda remains relatively stable across all seasons, with only slight variations. The average daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity ranges from 4.66 kWh in summer to 5.13 kWh in autumn. Winter and spring seasons yield 4.80 kWh and 5.00 kWh per day, respectively. This consistency in solar production makes Samarinda an ideal location for year-round solar energy generation. The autumn months appear to be particularly productive, offering the highest daily output. However, the difference between the most and least productive seasons is relatively small, ensuring a steady energy supply throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 1 degree North. This nearly horizontal orientation is due to the city's proximity to the equator, where the sun's path remains relatively high in the sky throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Samarinda's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. High humidity and rainfall: The region experiences significant rainfall, especially during the wet season. This can potentially reduce solar panel efficiency and increase the need for maintenance. 2. Cloud cover: Tropical locations often experience periods of cloud cover, which can temporarily reduce solar output. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures when installing solar panels:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed for tropical climates
• Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to prevent dust and debris accumulation
• Install a robust drainage system to manage heavy rainfall
• Consider adding a backup energy storage system to compensate for periods of reduced sunlight

By addressing these environmental factors, solar installations in Samarinda can maintain high efficiency and productivity throughout the year, taking full advantage of the location's consistent solar potential.

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 Samarinda

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -0.4931, Longitude: 117.1495 (Samarinda, 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 Samarinda, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Samarinda, Indonesia (Lat/Long -0.4931, 117.1495) 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 Samarinda, 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 Samarinda, 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	16° 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 Samarinda, 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 Samarinda, 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 Samarinda, Indonesia

The topography surrounding Samarinda, Indonesia, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat lowlands and gently rolling hills. Situated on the eastern coast of Borneo, Samarinda is nestled along the Mahakam River delta, which has shaped much of the surrounding terrain over time. The city itself is primarily built on flat, low-lying land, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 50 meters above sea level. This urban area is surrounded by a mix of wetlands, swamps, and mangrove forests, particularly along the coast and river banks. These low-lying areas are prone to flooding during heavy rains or high tides. As one moves inland from Samarinda, the landscape gradually transitions to more undulating terrain. Here, you'll find gentle hills and small plateaus, with elevations typically ranging from 50 to 200 meters above sea level. These areas are often covered in tropical rainforest, although significant portions have been cleared for agriculture, palm oil plantations, and mining activities.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Samarinda, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would ideally combine favorable topography, ample sunlight exposure, and minimal environmental impact. The gently rolling hills inland from Samarinda present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These elevated areas often receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day, with fewer obstructions from vegetation or buildings. Additionally, the slightly sloped terrain can be advantageous for optimal panel positioning and natural drainage. Areas that have already been cleared for agriculture or other human activities might be particularly well-suited for solar installations. These locations often have existing access roads and are less likely to require further deforestation, minimizing environmental impact. However, it's important to note that the region's high rainfall and humidity levels could pose challenges for solar PV efficiency and maintenance. Careful site selection and engineering would be necessary to mitigate these factors. While the immediate coastal areas and river delta might seem appealing due to their flatness, these locations are less ideal due to flood risks and the ecological importance of mangrove forests. Instead, focusing on slightly elevated areas further inland would likely yield better results for large-scale solar PV projects near Samarinda.

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.