Solar PV Analysis of Hikone, Japan
Hikone, Shiga, Japan, situated at latitude 35.2592 and longitude 136.2362, presents a viable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This city in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which directly impact the efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Hikone fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.24 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 4.98 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 3.79 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.55 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Hikone's solar potential is most favorable from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased energy production. However, the substantial output even in winter suggests that year-round solar generation is feasible in this location.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Hikone, Shiga, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing south. This optimal tilt angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun paths, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Hikone's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Snowfall: Hikone experiences moderate snowfall in winter, which can potentially cover solar panels and reduce efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended 31-degree tilt can help snow slide off more easily.
- Typhoons: The region is susceptible to typhoons, typically occurring between August and October. Ensure robust mounting systems are used to withstand high winds.
To mitigate these challenges, consider using snow-shedding panel frames and scheduling regular maintenance during winter months. For typhoon protection, invest in high-quality, wind-resistant mounting systems and conduct thorough structural assessments of installation sites.
Overall, Hikone offers a promising location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and preventative measures, the city's year-round solar potential can be effectively harnessed, contributing significantly to renewable energy production in the region.
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 Hikone
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2592, Longitude: 136.2362 (Hikone, 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 31° South in Hikone, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hikone, Japan (Lat/Long 35.2592, 136.2362) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Hikone, 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 Hikone, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 | 41° South in Autumn | 50° 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 Hikone, 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 Hikone, 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 Hikone, Japan
The topography around Hikone, Japan is quite diverse and interesting. Hikone is located in Shiga Prefecture, on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, which is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. The city itself is situated on relatively flat land, part of the Ōmi Plain that surrounds much of Lake Biwa.
To the east of Hikone, the landscape becomes more mountainous as it transitions into the southern part of the Suzuka mountain range. These mountains, while not extremely high, provide a scenic backdrop to the city and create a natural boundary between Shiga Prefecture and neighboring Mie Prefecture.
To the west, the expansive waters of Lake Biwa dominate the landscape. The shoreline near Hikone is mostly flat, with some gentle slopes leading down to the water. This area is known for its beautiful sunsets over the lake.
The northern and southern parts of Hikone continue along the relatively flat Ōmi Plain, with a mix of urban areas, agricultural land, and smaller hills dotting the landscape. This plain extends for quite some distance, especially to the south towards the city of Ōtsu.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat agricultural lands to the south of Hikone present the most promising opportunities. These areas offer large, open spaces with minimal shading from mountains or tall buildings, which is ideal for solar energy production. The gentle slopes leading away from Lake Biwa could also be suitable, as they would receive good sun exposure throughout the day.
However, it's important to note that much of the flat land around Hikone is used for agriculture, particularly rice cultivation. Any large-scale solar projects would need to carefully balance energy production needs with preserving valuable agricultural land. Some potential solutions could include dual-use systems that allow for both solar energy production and farming on the same land.
The mountainous areas to the east, while potentially offering good sun exposure on south-facing slopes, would be more challenging and expensive to develop for large-scale solar installations due to the terrain. These areas might be better suited for smaller, distributed solar projects rather than utility-scale installations.
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: Wednesday 9th of October 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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