Solar PV Analysis of Surabaya, Indonesia
Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, located in the tropics, is a very suitable location for solar power generation throughout the year. This is due to its consistent sunlight exposure and tropical climate characterized by wet and dry seasons. In terms of energy output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels, you can expect an average daily production of about 4.99 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in summer, 5.58 kWh in autumn, 5.62 kWh in winter, and 5.88 kWh in spring.
This means that while there's a slight increase from summer to spring season - with spring having the highest daily energy output - overall there’s not a significant variation between seasons as it might be seen in other less ideal locations outside the tropics.
In terms of when to generate solar at this location: even though production is fairly consistent throughout the year; if you wanted to maximize your energy generation you would aim for more production during autumn through spring when daily outputs are slightly higher.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of eight degrees towards North would help maximize total annual energy production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
However, despite these excellent conditions for solar power generation; local factors such as environmental conditions or topography could potentially impact power output here. For instance:
1) The monsoon season: Surabaya experiences heavy rainfall during its wet season which could lead to reduced sunlight exposure thus affecting PV system performance.
2) Air pollution: Surabaya has been known to have high levels of air pollution which can block sunlight reducing PV system efficiency.
3) Land availability: Depending on specific locations within Surabaya; land availability or building design might limit space for installing panels.
Preventative measures that can be taken include:
1) Install tracking systems on your panels so they move along with the sun maximizing exposure even on cloudy days during the monsoon season.
2) Regular maintenance and cleaning of panels to ensure they are not covered by dust or pollutants.
3) Strategic planning in installation to make the most out of available space. This could include installing on rooftops, carports, or using solar canopies.
In summary, Surabaya's location and climate make it an ideal place for solar energy generation throughout the year with some local factors that need consideration.
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 Surabaya
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.2484, Longitude: 112.7419 (Surabaya, 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 Surabaya, Indonesia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Surabaya, Indonesia (Lat/Long -7.2484, 112.7419) 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 Surabaya, 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 Surabaya, 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 | 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 Surabaya, 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 Surabaya, 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 Surabaya, Indonesia
Surabaya is located on the northeastern coast of Java island in Indonesia. The topography of the area is predominantly flat with some low-lying hills, and it is surrounded by several rivers. The city itself is heavily urbanized.
The climate in Surabaya is tropical, with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, making it quite suitable for solar PV installations. However, considering the dense urban development in Surabaya city itself, large-scale solar PV installations might be challenging due to space constraints.
Areas surrounding Surabaya like Sidoarjo and Gresik could be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to more available land. These areas are a mix of residential zones and agricultural land with relatively flat terrain which would facilitate installation of solar panels.
Another potential location could be along coastal areas or offshore where floating solar farms could be established. This approach has been used successfully in other parts of Southeast Asia.
However, feasibility studies would need to be conducted considering various factors such as local climate conditions (including cloud cover), land ownership issues, infrastructure availability for power transmission etc., before deciding on specific locations for large scale solar PV projects.
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: Wednesday 13th of March 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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