Solar Energy Potential in Hanakoganei, Japan

Hanakoganei, Japan, located at 35.7287° North, 139.5091° East, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This area in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production. The solar energy potential shows significant seasonal fluctuations. Summer yields the highest output at 5.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.22 kWh/day. Energy production decreases considerably during autumn and winter, with outputs of 3.56 kWh/day and 3.44 kWh/day respectively.

Seasonal Variations and Optimal Generation Periods

The data reveals that the most productive periods for solar generation in Hanakoganei span from late spring through summer (approximately May through August). During these months, longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight result in significantly higher energy yields compared to the autumn and winter months. Winter shows the lowest production, with nearly 35% less energy generation compared to peak summer months. This seasonal pattern is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone, where the sun's path and intensity vary considerably throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations at this Hanakoganei location, the ideal tilt angle is 33 degrees facing South. This specific angle maximizes year-round solar energy capture by optimizing the panel's position relative to the sun's average path throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially affect solar production in Hanakoganei:

• Japan's rainy season (typically June-July) may reduce solar output despite occurring during otherwise optimal summer months
• Typhoon season (August-October) could bring extended periods of cloud cover and potential physical risks to installations
• Winter snowfall, while typically light in this region, might occasionally accumulate on panels
• Urban pollution and haze from the greater Tokyo area could reduce solar irradiance

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures are recommended. Installing panels at the optimal 33-degree angle helps snow slide off naturally. Using quality mounting systems rated for typhoon-strength winds increases safety. Regular cleaning maintenance removes pollution buildup that can reduce efficiency. Additionally, microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize production losses when parts of the array experience shading or reduced sunlight. Despite these challenges, Hanakoganei's average daily production of 4.37 kWh per installed kilowatt (averaged across all seasons) makes solar PV installation a viable renewable energy option for this location.

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 Hanakoganei

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7287, Longitude: 139.5091 (Hanakoganei, 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 Hanakoganei, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hanakoganei, Japan (Lat/Long 35.7287, 139.5091) 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 Hanakoganei, 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 Hanakoganei, 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	51° 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 Hanakoganei, 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 Hanakoganei, 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 Hanakoganei, Japan

Hanakoganei is situated in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, Japan, in what is known as the Musashino Plateau. This area features a relatively flat topography that gently slopes from west to east. The terrain around Hanakoganei is characterized by an elevation of approximately 50-60 meters above sea level, forming part of the Tama terrace, which is a diluvial upland created by ancient river deposits.

Geographical Features

The landscape surrounding Hanakoganei is predominantly urbanized with residential and commercial developments typical of Tokyo's western suburbs. Despite the urban setting, the area retains some natural elements. The nearby Nogawa River flows through the region, creating minor variations in the otherwise uniform terrain. Small valleys or "yato" formed by water erosion can be found interspersed throughout the plateau. The Musashino Plateau on which Hanakoganei sits is composed mainly of loam soil layers (known as Kanto loam) deposited over gravel beds. This geological formation provides relatively stable ground conditions. The flat nature of the terrain means there are few significant hills or depressions in the immediate vicinity.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Hanakoganei, several factors must be considered beyond just the flat topography. The dense urban development presents challenges for finding suitable open spaces. However, some potential areas exist: The western regions of Tokyo, extending toward Tama and parts of neighboring Saitama Prefecture, offer more open spaces that could accommodate larger solar installations. These areas maintain the advantageous flat terrain while having fewer dense developments. Former agricultural lands that have been converted or abandoned in the broader Musashino region could provide suitable sites. These typically flat parcels offer the necessary space without requiring significant terrain modification. Industrial zones in the broader region, particularly those with large roof areas or unused land parcels, present opportunities for solar development. The flat rooftops of commercial facilities, warehouses, and factories in nearby industrial districts like parts of Kodaira or Higashimurayama could support substantial solar arrays. The relatively consistent elevation of the Musashino Plateau means that most potential solar sites would receive similar exposure to sunlight without significant terrain-based shadowing effects. This uniformity is advantageous for solar energy production. While the immediate vicinity of Hanakoganei is heavily urbanized, moving slightly outward to the neighboring municipalities reveals more opportunities for larger installations while maintaining the benefits of the region's generally flat topography.

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

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.