Solar PV Analysis of Semarang, Indonesia
Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia is a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent most of the time and seasons are more about wet and dry periods rather than big temperature swings.
In terms of how much electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels, here's what you would get on average per day: 4.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in summer, 5.67 kWh in autumn, 5.61 kWh in winter, and 5.91 kWh in spring.
The best times of year to generate solar power at this location are during autumn, winter and spring when daily output per kW is higher than during summer.
If you're installing a fixed panel system at this location, tilting your panels to an angle of 8 degrees North will give you maximum total production from your solar PV system over the course of a year.
Now let’s talk about local factors that could affect solar production at this location:
Indonesia experiences heavy rainfall especially during monsoon season which may reduce sunlight exposure for your panels. Also volcanic activity or dust from forest fires could potentially block sunlight too.
To counter these issues:
1) Consider installing a tracking system that allows your panels to move with the sun ensuring they capture as much light as possible even on cloudy days.
2) Regular cleaning can help remove any dust or ash that might settle on your panels blocking some light.
3) For areas prone to heavy rain or hail consider protective measures such as robust mounting systems that can withstand strong winds and weather conditions without damaging the panels.
Remember though every situation is unique so it’s always worth getting professional advice before making decisions about installing a solar power system!
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 Semarang
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -6.9932, Longitude: 110.4215 (Semarang, 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 8° North in Semarang, Indonesia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Semarang, Indonesia (Lat/Long -6.9932, 110.4215) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 8° 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 Semarang, 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 Semarang, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 8° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° South in Summer | 13° North in Autumn | 22° North in Winter | 2° 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 Semarang, 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 Semarang, 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 Semarang, Indonesia
Semarang is situated on the northern coast of Java, Indonesia. The topography around Semarang is quite diverse, with coastal lowlands towards the north and hilly to mountainous regions in the south.
The city itself is relatively flat but expands into hilly terrain as you move away from the coast. The area surrounding Semarang also includes agricultural lands and forested areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are typically most suitable due to ease of installation and maintenance, as well as optimal sunlight exposure. Therefore, the coastal lowland areas around Semarang would likely be best suited for such a project.
However, it's important to note that several other factors should also be considered when selecting a site for large-scale solar PV projects including: availability of sunlight (solar irradiation levels), land use restrictions or regulations, proximity to electrical grids for power transmission among others.
Furthermore, given that Indonesia has an equatorial climate with high cloud cover and rainfall throughout much of the year can potentially impact efficiency of solar panels. Hence detailed feasibility studies will need to be conducted before embarking on any large scale solar project.
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 13th of June 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.
