Solar PV Analysis of Kashiwa, Japan
Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan, located at 35.8761°N, 139.9802°E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This city in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, providing both opportunities and challenges for solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy output in Kashiwa varies significantly across the four seasons. Summer and spring are the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.28 kWh and 5.26 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn and winter see a decrease in production, with 3.62 kWh and 3.50 kWh per day, respectively.
The substantial difference between the high and low seasons suggests that Kashiwa's solar potential is heavily influenced by its seasonal climate. The long, sunny days of summer and spring make these ideal times for solar energy generation, while the shorter days and potentially overcast conditions in autumn and winter result in reduced output.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar production in Kashiwa, Chiba, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Kashiwa presents a generally favorable environment for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Typhoons: Japan is prone to typhoons, which could damage solar installations if not properly secured.
- Snow: Winter snowfall, although not typically heavy in Kashiwa, Chiba, could temporarily reduce panel efficiency if allowed to accumulate.
To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Kashiwa should incorporate robust mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Additionally, panels should be installed at an angle that facilitates natural snow sliding, and a maintenance plan should be in place for manual snow removal if necessary.
Despite these considerations, Kashiwa's location offers a good balance of solar potential throughout the year, making it a suitable site for solar PV installations with proper planning and maintenance.
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 Kashiwa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8761, Longitude: 139.9802 (Kashiwa, 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 Kashiwa, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kashiwa, Japan (Lat/Long 35.8761, 139.9802) 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 Kashiwa, 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 Kashiwa, 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 | 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 Kashiwa, 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 Kashiwa, 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 Kashiwa, Japan
The area around Kashiwa, Japan, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Kanto Plain. This region is known for its low-lying landscape with gentle slopes and minimal elevation changes. Kashiwa itself sits at an average elevation of about 20 meters (65 feet) above sea level.
The topography of Kashiwa and its surroundings is primarily shaped by the Tone River system, which has created a broad, flat floodplain over thousands of years. This results in a landscape that is mostly level, with occasional small hills and shallow depressions. The area also features some artificial modifications to the terrain, including man-made canals and drainage systems that have been developed to manage water flow and prevent flooding.
To the west of Kashiwa, the land gradually rises towards the Musashino Plateau, but this elevation change is subtle and occurs over a large distance. To the east, the terrain remains flat as it approaches the Pacific coast, with some areas even dropping slightly below sea level in parts of neighboring Chiba Prefecture.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited for such projects would likely be found in the more rural and agricultural regions surrounding Kashiwa. The flat, open spaces to the north and east of the city, particularly in the direction of Abiko and Inzai, could offer potential sites for solar farms. These areas typically have fewer buildings and less dense population, providing more available land for large installations.
Additionally, some of the gently sloping areas to the south and southwest, towards Matsudo and Noda, might also be suitable for solar PV projects. These locations could potentially offer slight advantages in terms of sun exposure due to their subtle elevation changes.
However, it's important to note that the Kanto region, including Kashiwa, is densely populated and heavily urbanized. This means that finding large, contiguous areas for solar farms might be challenging. Any large-scale solar PV projects would need to carefully consider land use regulations, agricultural preservation policies, and the impact on local communities.
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: Tuesday 8th 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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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.
