Solar PV Analysis of Hinosato, Japan
Hinosato, Fukuoka, Japan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a fairly good location for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. This is based on the amount of electricity that can be produced per kilowatt of installed solar power at this location in each season: 5.37kWh/day in Summer, 4.03kWh/day in Autumn, 3.01kWh/day in Winter and 5.17kWh/day in Spring.
The most ideal times to generate solar at this location are during the Summer and Spring seasons when there's more sunlight and thus more potential for energy production from your PV system.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 30 degrees facing South would maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system. This means that you should install your panels so they're slightly tilted towards the south to receive as much sunlight as possible throughout the day.
However, there could be some environmental or local factors that may impede solar production at this location such as heavy rainfall or cloudy weather which are common during certain periods of the year especially during typhoon season (usually between May and October). These conditions can reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thereby affecting their efficiency.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges, it's recommended to regularly maintain and clean your panels to remove any dirt or debris that might have accumulated over time which can block sunlight from reaching the cells of your PV system. You should also consider installing a tracking system that automatically adjusts the position of your panels throughout the day depending on where there's optimal sun exposure if budget allows it.
In conclusion while Hinosato isn't perfect due to seasonal weather variations impacting efficiency; with proper installation techniques like appropriate tilt angle combined with regular maintenance & potentially even adding tracking systems - you could still produce significant amounts of renewable energy via Solar PV here all year round.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Hinosato
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7331, Longitude: 130.4806 (Hinosato, 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 30° South in Hinosato, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hinosato, Japan (Lat/Long 33.7331, 130.4806) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Hinosato, 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 Hinosato, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 48° South in Winter | 27° 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 Hinosato, 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 Hinosato, 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 Hinosato, Japan
Hinosato, Japan is located in the Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu. The topography around Hinosato consists of a combination of flat plains and hilly terrain with some mountainous regions. This area is generally characterized by its lush greenery and fertile lands, thanks to the Chikugo River flowing through.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas are typically ideal as they allow for easy installation and maximum sunlight exposure. In this regard, unused agricultural land or industrial zones within the region could be suitable locations.
However, it's also possible to install solar panels on sloped terrain or hilltops if properly engineered – these locations can potentially capture more sunlight due to less obstruction from trees or buildings. But such installations may have higher costs associated with them due to added complexities in construction.
In addition, proximity to existing power infrastructure would be an important factor too for ease of connecting the generated solar power back into the grid.
Nonetheless, any plans for large-scale solar PV installations should take into account local regulations and environmental impact assessments given that Fukuoka Prefecture is known for its rich biodiversity.
Please note that a thorough feasibility study would need to be conducted by professionals before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar PV 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 24th 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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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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