Solar PV Analysis of Higashigotanda, Japan
The location at Higashigotanda, Tokyo, Japan, is pretty good for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is based on the average amount of energy that can be produced per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels in each season. In simple terms, a kW is a measure of how much electricity something can produce or use.
In summer and spring, you could expect to generate around 5.28 and 5.26 kilowatts-hours (kWh) per day for each kW of installed solar panels respectively. This means that these are the best times to generate solar power as there's more sunlight available in these seasons.
During autumn and winter, the amount drops slightly to around 3.62 and 3.50 kWh/day respectively due to less sunlight available but it's still a decent amount.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 33 degrees towards the south would give you the most production from your solar panels throughout the year.
However, like any other place in the world, there could be local factors such as weather conditions or physical features which might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels.
In Higashigotanda's case - due to its geographical position - it may experience typhoons during certain times of year which could potentially damage your installation if not properly secured. Also heavy snowfall during winter might cover up your panels reducing their effectiveness temporarily until cleared off.
To prevent these issues from affecting your power generation significantly:
1) Ensure that your installation is robust enough to withstand high winds.
2) Regular maintenance checks should be carried out especially before typhoon season begins.
3) Make sure you have a plan for removing snow off your panels quickly without damaging them when necessary.
By taking care of these potential issues beforehand you'll ensure greater energy production from your solar installation throughout all seasons regardless of what mother nature throws at you.
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 Higashigotanda
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6362, Longitude: 139.7189 (Higashigotanda, 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 Higashigotanda, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Higashigotanda, Japan (Lat/Long 35.6362, 139.7189) 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 Higashigotanda, 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 Higashigotanda, 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 Higashigotanda, 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 Higashigotanda, 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 Higashigotanda, Japan
Higashigotanda is located in the Shinagawa ward of Tokyo, Japan. As it's part of a major metropolitan area, the topography is largely urbanized with buildings, roads and other infrastructure. The region is primarily flat due to its coastal location.
The suitability for large-scale solar PV would be limited within Higashigotanda itself due to the high density of buildings and lack of open space. However, there are several areas nearby that might be more suitable:
1. Areas along Tokyo Bay: There are large industrial areas along Tokyo Bay that could potentially host rooftop solar installations.
2. Open spaces or parks: Parks or open spaces can also be considered for small-scale solar installations.
3. Unused land in outlying regions: If we consider larger distances, unused land or farmland in less densely populated regions outside Tokyo may also be suitable for larger scale solar farms.
4. Building rooftops: In an urban setting like this one, one of the most effective ways to implement large-scale solar PV systems would be through rooftop installations on commercial and residential buildings throughout the city.
5. Floating Solar Panels on reservoirs or ponds: Japan has been a leader in implementing floating photovoltaic (PV) power plants on bodies of water which might also be an option if such locations are available nearby.
Please note that all these options would require detailed feasibility studies considering factors like sun exposure (solar irradiance), grid connectivity, environmental impact and local regulations among others.
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: Monday 12th of February 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.
