Solar Energy Potential in Fujisawa, Japan

Fujisawa, located in Japan's Kanagawa Prefecture, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this coastal city experiences distinct seasonal variations that impact solar energy production. The solar potential in Fujisawa varies across seasons, with summer and spring being the most productive periods. During summer, solar panels can generate an average of 5.28 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 5.26 kWh/kW. These seasons provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production, thanks to longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies. Autumn and winter see a decrease in solar output, with daily averages of 3.62 kWh/kW and 3.50 kWh/kW, respectively. While these figures are lower, they still indicate a significant potential for year-round solar energy generation in Fujisawa.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Fujisawa, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Fujisawa's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Typhoons: Fujisawa, like much of Japan, is susceptible to typhoons, which can potentially damage solar installations. 2. Heavy rainfall: The region experiences a rainy season, typically from June to July, which can temporarily reduce solar output. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rain. Regular maintenance and inspections, especially before and after the typhoon season, can help ensure the longevity and efficiency of solar installations in Fujisawa. In conclusion, Fujisawa presents a favorable location for solar energy generation, with particularly high potential during summer and spring. By optimizing panel placement and taking necessary precautions against extreme weather events, solar installations in this area can provide a reliable source of renewable energy throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Fujisawa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3344, Longitude: 139.4687 (Fujisawa, 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 33° South in Fujisawa, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Fujisawa, Japan (Lat/Long 35.3344, 139.4687) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Fujisawa, 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 Fujisawa, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
20° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	29° 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 Fujisawa, 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 Fujisawa, Japan.

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 Fujisawa, Japan

Fujisawa, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is situated on the coast of Sagami Bay, which opens into the Pacific Ocean. The topography of the area around Fujisawa is characterized by a mix of coastal lowlands and gently rolling hills.

The immediate coastal area of Fujisawa is relatively flat, with sandy beaches and some low-lying areas. As you move inland from the coast, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating, with small hills and shallow valleys. These hills are generally not very steep or high, making much of the area accessible for various land uses.

To the north and northwest of Fujisawa, the landscape becomes more hilly as it transitions into the foothills of the Tanzawa Mountains. These areas have a bit more elevation and steeper slopes compared to the coastal regions. The eastern parts of Fujisawa, towards Kamakura, also feature some hillier terrain.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

The flat, open areas slightly inland from the coast could be potential candidates for solar farms. These locations often have good sun exposure and minimal shadowing from geographical features. However, it's important to note that much of this land is likely already developed or used for agriculture.

Some of the gently sloping hillsides facing south or southeast might also be suitable for solar installations. These areas can receive excellent sunlight throughout the day, which is ideal for solar energy production. However, care must be taken to avoid areas with significant forest cover or important ecological value.

It's worth noting that large-scale solar installations in this region face challenges due to the high population density and limited available land. As a result, many solar projects in the area tend to be smaller in scale, often utilizing rooftops of existing buildings or incorporating solar panels into new developments.

Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider land use regulations, environmental impact, and the needs of the local community. Additionally, the region's susceptibility to natural disasters like typhoons and earthquakes would require robust engineering and safety measures for any solar installation.

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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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.