Solar Energy Potential in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, Indonesia

Tarakan, North Kalimantan, Indonesia, located at 3.3157 latitude, 117.5947 longitude, offers promising conditions for solar energy production throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns, with seasonal variations primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature changes. The solar energy generation potential in Tarakan remains relatively stable across all seasons. In Spring, panels can produce approximately 5.47 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity, making it the most productive season. Summer follows closely with 5.43 kWh/day, while Autumn yields 5.34 kWh/day. Winter shows a slight decrease with 4.84 kWh/day, but still maintains good production levels. For fixed solar panel installations in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 3 degrees facing South. This nearly flat orientation takes advantage of Tarakan's position close to the equator, where the sun passes almost directly overhead throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant local factors can affect solar production in Tarakan:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically November to March) can reduce solar efficiency by limiting direct sunlight exposure.
• High humidity levels year-round may cause condensation on panels, potentially reducing their effectiveness.
• Dust and particulate matter from nearby industrial activities can accumulate on panel surfaces.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

To maximize solar energy production in Tarakan, North Kalimantan, several preventative measures should be considered during installation: Installing panels with self-cleaning technologies or hydrophobic coatings can help mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall and humidity. Regular maintenance schedules should be implemented, particularly before and after the wet season, to remove any accumulated dust or debris. Elevated mounting systems can improve air circulation beneath the panels, reducing humidity-related issues and helping to maintain optimal operating temperatures. Additionally, investing in high-quality inverters designed for tropical conditions will ensure better performance during brief periods of cloud cover. Considering Tarakan's consistent year-round solar potential with only minor seasonal variations, a solar PV system here could provide reliable renewable energy with relatively predictable output throughout the year.

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 Tarakan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 3.3157, Longitude: 117.5947 (Tarakan, 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 3° South in Tarakan, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tarakan, Indonesia (Lat/Long 3.3157, 117.5947) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 3° South 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 Tarakan, 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 Tarakan, Indonesia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 3° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
13° North in Summer	9° South in Autumn	19° South 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 Tarakan, 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 Tarakan, 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 Tarakan, Indonesia

Tarakan is a small island city located off the northeastern coast of Borneo in the province of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The topography of Tarakan presents a diverse landscape characterized by a mixture of coastal plains, gentle hills, and some moderately elevated terrain. The island itself is relatively small, spanning approximately 250 square kilometers, with elevations generally ranging from sea level along the coastal areas to hills reaching around 100-150 meters above sea level in the interior regions. The coastal areas of Tarakan feature mangrove forests and mudflats, particularly along the eastern and southern shores. These low-lying areas gradually transition into slightly elevated terrain as one moves inland. The central and northern portions of the island contain most of the hilly terrain, with some areas featuring steeper slopes. The natural vegetation across the island consists primarily of tropical rainforest, though significant portions have been cleared for urban development, agriculture, and oil production facilities, as Tarakan has historically been an important oil-producing region.

Surrounding Mainland and Islands

Looking beyond Tarakan to the nearby mainland of Borneo and surrounding islands, the topography becomes more varied and pronounced. The mainland coast facing Tarakan features extensive mangrove forests and lowland plains that gradually rise into the foothills of Borneo's interior mountain ranges. Several smaller islands dot the waters around Tarakan, most with similar coastal lowland characteristics. The Tarakan Strait separates the island from the mainland, creating a sheltered waterway that has contributed to the city's historical importance as a port. The mainland areas of North Kalimantan feature more dramatic topographical changes as one moves inland, eventually reaching the central highlands of Borneo with elevations exceeding 1,000 meters.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development near Tarakan, several areas present favorable topographical conditions. The most suitable locations would be: The cleared upland areas in the central and northern portions of Tarakan island offer moderate elevation with relatively flat plateaus. These areas receive good solar exposure due to their elevation above the surrounding vegetation and reduced risk of flooding compared to lowland areas. However, the limited size of the island constrains the potential scale of development. More promising for truly large-scale development are the mainland coastal plains of North Kalimantan, particularly in areas where forest has already been cleared for agriculture or other development. These regions offer extensive flat terrain that would minimize site preparation costs and maximize solar panel density. The areas extending from Tanjung Selor (the capital of North Kalimantan) northward along the coast provide substantial land area with favorable topography for solar farms. The gently rolling terrain found approximately 20-30 kilometers inland from the Borneo coast also presents opportunities for large-scale solar development. These areas strike a balance between flat terrain that's ideal for panel installation and slight elevation that helps avoid the flooding concerns present in the lowest coastal plains. Areas to avoid would include the extensive mangrove forests along both Tarakan's coast and the mainland shoreline, as these ecologically sensitive zones provide crucial environmental services including carbon sequestration and coastal protection. Similarly, the steeper hillsides found in parts of Tarakan and further inland on Borneo would require excessive grading and present erosion risks if developed. The relatively flat areas that have already been disturbed by human activity, such as former agricultural land or abandoned industrial sites, would offer the optimal balance of suitable topography and minimized environmental impact for solar PV development in this region.

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

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