Solar Energy Potential in Ungaran, Indonesia

Ungaran, Indonesia offers favorable conditions for solar energy generation throughout the year. Located in the tropics at coordinates -7.2369, 110.5033, this location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns typical of tropical regions, where wet and dry seasons replace the four traditional seasons experienced in temperate climates. The solar energy production potential in Ungaran shows impressive consistency across all meteorological seasons. Spring yields the highest output at 5.77 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This is closely followed by autumn with 5.57 kWh/day, winter with 5.50 kWh/day, and summer with 4.96 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. For those considering solar installation in Ungaran, it's worth noting that spring represents the peak production period, while summer shows slightly lower generation potential. However, the relatively small variation between seasons (less than 1 kWh difference) demonstrates Ungaran's year-round suitability for solar energy harvesting.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Ungaran, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 8 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation patterns at this latitude, weighted by the daily photovoltaic potential throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors may affect solar production in Ungaran:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically October to April) can temporarily reduce solar efficiency due to cloud cover and direct precipitation on panels.
• Volcanic ash from nearby Mount Ungaran and other volcanoes in Central Java may occasionally deposit on solar panels, reducing their effectiveness.
• High humidity levels throughout the year can contribute to faster degradation of equipment if not properly protected.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, consider implementing these preventative measures:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules, especially during dry periods when dust and ash accumulation is more prominent.
• Use high-quality, humidity-resistant components with proper IP ratings to withstand the tropical climate.
• Consider a slight increase in the tilt angle (beyond the optimal 8 degrees) in installations particularly vulnerable to ash or dust to facilitate natural cleaning during rainfall.
• Install monitoring systems to track performance drops that might indicate cleaning or maintenance is required.

Despite these considerations, Ungaran's consistent solar radiation throughout the year makes it an excellent location for solar PV installations, with annual average daily production exceeding 5.4 kWh per installed kilowatt.

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 Ungaran

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -7.2369, Longitude: 110.5033 (Ungaran, 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 Ungaran, Indonesia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ungaran, Indonesia (Lat/Long -7.2369, 110.5033) 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 Ungaran, 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 Ungaran, 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 Ungaran, 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 Ungaran, 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 Ungaran, Indonesia

The landscape surrounding Ungaran, Indonesia, is characterized by a diverse and dramatic topography dominated by volcanic features. Ungaran itself is situated on the slopes of Mount Ungaran, an ancient stratovolcano that reaches approximately 2,050 meters above sea level. This dormant volcano forms part of the extensive volcanic chain running through Java, created by the subduction of the Australian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate. The terrain around Ungaran gradually rises from the north to the south, with the northern areas featuring more gentle slopes and lower elevations. As one moves southward, the landscape becomes increasingly mountainous, with steeper gradients and higher elevations leading up to the summit of Mount Ungaran. The eastern and western flanks of the mountain exhibit numerous valleys and ridges carved by erosion over thousands of years.

Hydrological Features

The volcanic nature of the region has created a network of rivers and streams that radiate outward from Mount Ungaran. These waterways have carved valleys through the volcanic deposits, creating a series of undulating ridges and lowlands. The northern areas, extending toward Semarang city and the Java Sea, flatten out into coastal plains. The fertile volcanic soils support lush vegetation, with much of the lower slopes converted to agricultural use, including terraced fields that follow the natural contours of the land. Higher elevations retain more natural forest cover, particularly on steeper slopes unsuitable for farming.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Ungaran offer promising characteristics: The northern lowlands extending toward Semarang provide relatively flat terrain that would minimize site preparation costs for solar installations. These areas have fewer topographical obstructions that might cast shadows on solar arrays, allowing for more efficient energy capture throughout the day. The gentler slopes in this region would reduce erosion concerns and simplify construction logistics. The eastern and western plateaus at middle elevations (approximately 400-700 meters) also present suitable locations for solar development. These areas often feature more consistent exposure to sunlight with less cloud cover than higher mountain slopes. Many of these plateaus have already been partially cleared for agriculture, potentially reducing land conversion costs. Areas to avoid include the steeper southern slopes of Mount Ungaran, where installation would be technically challenging and environmentally disruptive. Additionally, the numerous river valleys throughout the region, while scenic, would be poor choices for solar development due to increased humidity, potential flooding, and variable sun exposure caused by the surrounding ridges. The region between Ungaran and Bawen to the south, which features more moderate slopes and established infrastructure, could serve as an effective compromise between accessibility and suitable topography for solar installations. This area benefits from proximity to existing roads and transmission infrastructure while still offering reasonable solar exposure conditions.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.