Sukoharjo, Central Java, Indonesia, located at latitude -7.6727 and longitude 110.8424, 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 significant temperature variations.

Year-round Solar Potential

The solar energy output at this location remains relatively stable across all meteorological seasons. Spring sees the highest production at 5.73 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This is closely followed by autumn with 5.57 kWh/day, winter with 5.52 kWh/day, and summer with 4.94 kWh/day. These figures indicate a reliable and consistent solar energy potential throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Sukoharjo, Central Java, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 8 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated taking into account the daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel tilt, and weighted by daily photovoltaic potential using NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental Considerations

While Sukoharjo's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The region experiences a monsoon climate with a distinct wet season. Heavy rainfall could temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. 2. Cloud cover: Increased cloud cover during the wet season may impact solar energy generation. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

Preventative Measures

1. Install high-quality, water-resistant solar panels designed to perform well in humid conditions. 2. Ensure proper drainage systems are in place to prevent water accumulation on panels. 3. Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove any dirt or debris that may accumulate during rainy periods. 4. Consider using microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from cloud cover. By implementing these measures, solar installations in Sukoharjo can maximize energy production and maintain efficiency 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 Sukoharjo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.6727, Longitude: 110.8424 (Sukoharjo, 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 Sukoharjo, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sukoharjo, Indonesia (Lat/Long -7.6727, 110.8424) 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 Sukoharjo, 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 Sukoharjo, 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
8° South in Summer	14° North in Autumn	23° 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 Sukoharjo, 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 Sukoharjo, 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 Sukoharjo, Indonesia

The topography around Sukoharjo, Indonesia, is characterized by a mix of flat lowlands and gently rolling hills. This area is part of the larger Central Java region, which is known for its diverse landscape. Sukoharjo itself is situated in a relatively flat area, with elevations generally ranging from about 80 to 120 meters above sea level.

To the north and east of Sukoharjo, the terrain remains predominantly flat, with extensive agricultural lands and rice paddies. This area is part of the Solo River basin, which provides fertile soil for farming. As you move towards the south and southwest, the landscape gradually becomes more undulating, with low hills and small valleys appearing.

The most prominent topographical feature in the vicinity is Mount Merapi, an active volcano located about 35 kilometers to the northwest of Sukoharjo. While it doesn't directly impact Sukoharjo's immediate surroundings, its presence influences the overall regional landscape and contributes to the fertile volcanic soil in the area.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be the flat, open spaces to the north and east of Sukoharjo. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy development:

1. The flat terrain makes construction and maintenance easier and more cost-effective.
2. There are fewer natural obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing sunlight exposure.
3. Many of these areas are already used for agriculture, which means they have existing road access and are not densely forested.
4. The proximity to urban areas like Sukoharjo and nearby Solo (Surakarta) means that the energy produced could be easily distributed to population centers.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider the impact on local agriculture, as these flat areas are currently important for food production. Ideally, solar installations could be integrated with existing agricultural practices, a concept known as agrivoltaics, to maximize land use efficiency.

The hilly areas to the south and southwest, while potentially suitable for smaller solar installations, may present more challenges for large-scale projects due to the varied terrain and potential shading issues. Nevertheless, these areas could be considered for distributed solar projects or smaller community-based 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.