Solar PV Analysis of Ginza, Japan
Ginza, Japan is located in the Northern Temperate Zone and can generate a decent amount of energy from solar panels throughout the year. The energy produced varies by season, with summer and spring generating slightly more electricity than autumn and winter.
In simple terms, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, you can expect to get:
- About 5.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each day in the summer
- Around 3.62 kWh/day in the fall
- Approximately 3.50 kWh/day during winter
- Roughly 5.26 kWh/day in spring
This means that if you're planning to install solar panels here, you'll get the most bang for your buck during summer and spring when sunlight is plentiful.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 33 degrees towards South would maximize their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year – leading to more power generation.
However, there may be certain local factors that could affect how much energy these panels produce:
1) Pollution: Ginza is located in Tokyo which has some air pollution issues due to vehicle emissions and industrial activities nearby. This could reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventive Measure: Regular cleaning will help keep dust or smog particles off your solar panels so they can absorb as much sun as possible.
2) Weather Patterns: Japan experiences monsoon seasons which bring heavy rainfalls reducing sunlight exposure.
Preventive Measure: While there's not much one can do about weather patterns; selecting high-quality solar PV systems designed to withstand harsh weather conditions will ensure long-term performance.
3) Buildings & Infrastructure: Being a densely populated area with high-rise buildings might cause shadows on your solar setup decreasing its efficiency.
Preventive Measure: Before installing your system make sure it's positioned where it gets maximum sun exposure without any obstructions.
So, while Ginza isn't the most ideal location for solar energy production due to these factors, it's still a viable option if you take into account seasonal variations and local challenges.
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 Ginza
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6761, Longitude: 139.7594 (Ginza, 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 Ginza, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ginza, Japan (Lat/Long 35.6761, 139.7594) 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 Ginza, 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 Ginza, 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 | 42° 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 Ginza, 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 Ginza, 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 Ginza, Japan
Ginza is located in the Chūō ward of Tokyo, Japan. This area is highly urbanized and flat, as it's part of the Tokyo metropolis which lies within the Kanto Plain. The region doesn't have much natural topography with mountains or hills.
As for large-scale solar PV installation, such areas require open and unobstructed spaces to capture sunlight efficiently. Given Ginza's dense urban environment with numerous high-rise buildings, it may not be an ideal location for a large-scale solar farm.
However, rooftop installations on commercial buildings could be a viable option within Ginza itself.
For larger scale solar farms, less densely populated regions with more open land would be better suited. Areas outside the city center towards Chiba or Saitama prefectures might offer more suitable locations given their greater availability of open space and farmland.
It should also be noted that local regulations about land use and renewable energy installations need to be considered when planning such projects.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 4th of June 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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