Solar PV Analysis of Amagasaki, Japan
Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan is a pretty good location for year-round solar energy production. The average amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies by season. During the summer and spring, you can expect to generate around 5.31 and 5.23 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day respectively. This output drops in autumn and winter to about 3.89 kWh/day and 3.11 kWh/day respectively.
The best times to generate solar power at this location are during the spring and summer when the sunlight is most abundant due to longer daylight hours and higher sun position in the sky.
For fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your solar panels at an angle of 32 degrees South will allow them to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, thus maximizing total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect your ability to produce as much electricity as expected from your solar panels in Amagasaki:
1. Weather: Japan experiences a monsoon season which typically occurs between June and July for Southern Japan where Amagasaki is located; these heavy rainfalls may reduce sunlight exposure thus reducing PV output.
2. Air quality: Industrial activities or pollution could potentially decrease air quality leading to more particles in the air that scatter or absorb sunlight before it reaches your panels.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1. For weather-related issues like monsoons or overcast days - unfortunately not much can be done as weather patterns are beyond our control but having battery storage might help store excess energy generated on brighter days.
2.Having regular maintenance checks on your panels would also ensure they're clean so any dust or debris won't block out any additional sunshine.
In summary, while there are seasonal variations with less productivity during autumn/winter months due mainly due shorter daylight hours and lower sun position, the location of Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan is quite suitable for solar energy production. Environmental factors such as monsoons or air pollution may cause some decreases in productivity but are not significant enough to discourage solar panel installation. Regular maintenance and optional battery storage can help maximize your system's efficiency year-round.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 187 locations across Japan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Japan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Amagasaki
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.7186, Longitude: 135.4396 (Amagasaki, Japan), 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 32° South in Amagasaki, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Amagasaki, Japan (Lat/Long 34.7186, 135.4396) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Amagasaki, Japan
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 Amagasaki, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 28° South 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 Amagasaki, Japan
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 Amagasaki, Japan.
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 Amagasaki, Japan
Amagasaki is located in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, which lies in the Kansai region on Honshu island. The city is situated in a coastal area near Osaka Bay and has a relatively flat landscape with some hills to the north.
The topography around Amagasaki primarily consists of urbanized areas, industrial zones, and some agricultural land. It's surrounded by several cities including Nishinomiya to its west, Itami to its north, and Osaka to its east.
Given this setting, large-scale solar PV installations would likely be most suited for non-urbanized areas or unused industrial zones where there is ample open space for such projects. Rooftop solar installations could also be an option within urban areas given Japan's push towards renewable energy sources.
However, any decision regarding the installation of large-scale solar PV systems should take into account various factors like local climate conditions (amount of sunlight received), land usage regulations, environmental impact assessments etc., apart from just topographical considerations.
Japan solar PV Stats as a country
Japan ranks 3rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 74,191 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 8.30% of Japan's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 9th in the world). Each year Japan is generating 590 Watts from solar PV per capita (Japan ranks 4th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Japan?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Japan. These include the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) program, which provides a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar; subsidies and grants from local governments; tax credits; and loans with low interest rates. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for additional incentives depending on their location and type of installation.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Japan? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 21st of May 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.
