Selong, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia presents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. Located in the tropics at coordinates -8.6484, 116.531, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasonal variations characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic changes in solar availability.

Solar Energy Production Potential

The solar energy output at Selong shows impressive consistency across all seasons. During summer months, solar panels can be expected to generate 5.61kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Autumn brings slightly higher production at 6.07kWh/day per kW, while winter maintains strong output at 5.94kWh/day per kW. Spring emerges as the most productive season, delivering 6.34kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. This makes spring the ideal time for peak solar generation, though the relatively small variation between seasons means the location provides reliable solar energy year-round.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round solar production at Selong, West Nusa Tenggara, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 9 degrees toward the north. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining daily optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

Several environmental factors in Selong could potentially impact solar panel performance and require consideration during installation:

• High humidity and tropical moisture: Can cause corrosion of electrical components and reduce panel efficiency over time
• Heavy monsoon rains: May temporarily reduce solar output and can damage poorly installed systems
• Salt air exposure: Being in Indonesia's coastal regions, salt corrosion can affect metal components
• Dust and debris accumulation: Tropical storms and dry periods can deposit materials on panel surfaces

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several protective measures should be implemented. All electrical components should use marine-grade or tropical-rated materials with enhanced corrosion resistance and proper weatherproof sealing. Panel mounting systems require robust construction using stainless steel or aluminum components that can withstand high winds and heavy rainfall. Adequate drainage around installations prevents water accumulation that could damage equipment. Regular cleaning schedules become essential to remove dust, debris, and any organic growth that might accumulate on panel surfaces. Installing panels with sufficient ground clearance improves air circulation, helping to manage humidity and temperature effects. Proper grounding and surge protection systems are particularly important in tropical locations prone to electrical storms. These measures help ensure that Selong's excellent solar potential translates into reliable, long-term energy production.

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 Selong

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -8.6484, Longitude: 116.531 (Selong, 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 9° North in Selong, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Selong, Indonesia (Lat/Long -8.6484, 116.531) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° 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 Selong, 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 Selong, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
7° South in Summer	15° North in Autumn	24° North in Winter	3° North 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 Selong, 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 Selong, 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 Selong, Indonesia

Topographical Features of Selong and Surrounding Areas

Selong is located in the eastern part of Lombok island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. The town sits within a relatively flat to gently undulating coastal plain that extends inland from the northern shores of Lombok. This area is characterized by low-lying agricultural land with elevations typically ranging from sea level to approximately 100 meters above sea level.

The immediate vicinity around Selong features predominantly flat terrain with gentle slopes, making it part of the broader alluvial plains that characterize much of northern and eastern Lombok. Rice paddies and other agricultural fields dominate the landscape, interspersed with small villages and rural settlements. The terrain becomes progressively more elevated as one moves southward toward the interior of the island.

To the south and southwest of Selong, the topography begins to rise more dramatically as it approaches the foothills of Mount Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest volcano. This mountainous region creates a stark contrast to the coastal plains, with steep slopes and rugged terrain that would be unsuitable for large-scale development projects.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV Development

The flat to gently rolling terrain immediately surrounding Selong presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The coastal plains extending northward toward the Java Sea offer particularly favorable conditions, with minimal topographical obstacles and relatively uniform elevation changes that would facilitate construction and maintenance access.

Areas to the northeast and northwest of Selong would be especially well-suited for solar development due to their expansive flat terrain and proximity to existing infrastructure. These locations benefit from stable ground conditions and minimal shading concerns, as there are few natural obstructions such as hills or dense forest cover in the immediate vicinity.

The agricultural plains extending eastward from Selong toward the coast also present viable options for solar installations, particularly on land that may be less productive for farming or could accommodate dual-use arrangements. The gentle topography in this direction provides excellent sight lines and would allow for optimal panel orientation without significant grading requirements.

Areas to the west of Selong, while still relatively flat, begin to show more varied elevation as they approach the central highlands of Lombok. However, many locations in this direction remain suitable for solar development, particularly those that maintain the characteristics of the coastal plain environment.

The southern approaches to Selong become increasingly challenging for large-scale solar development as the terrain transitions toward the volcanic slopes of Mount Rinjani. The steeper gradients, potential for unstable soils, and increased complexity of access would make these areas less economically viable for major 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!

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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.