Solar PV Analysis of Kawasaki, Japan
Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that if you were to install solar panels here, they would be able to produce a decent amount of electricity all year round. The best times to generate solar power at this location are in summer and spring when the panels can create about 5.26-5.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity.
In autumn and winter, the output drops slightly but it's still quite productive with around 3.50-3.62 kWh generated per day for each kW of installed solar capacity.
To get the most out of your solar panels in Kawasaki throughout the year, it's recommended that you tilt them towards south at an angle of 33 degrees from horizontal level.
Now let's talk about factors that could potentially affect or hinder your ability to produce as much energy as possible from these panels.
The weather is one such factor; cloudy days can reduce sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their productivity. To help mitigate this issue, you might want to consider installing more advanced types of solar technology like bifacial modules which can capture sunlight from both sides thus increasing their efficiency even on overcast days.
Another potential barrier could be local regulations or restrictions on where and how you can install your system - so always make sure you check with local authorities before proceeding with installation.
Finally, keep in mind that dust or debris falling onto your panels will also decrease their efficiency by blocking sunlight - so regular cleaning should be part of maintenance routine for anyone considering installing a system in Kawasaki or anywhere else really!
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 Kawasaki
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5311, Longitude: 139.7314 (Kawasaki, 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 Kawasaki, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kawasaki, Japan (Lat/Long 35.5311, 139.7314) 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 Kawasaki, 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 Kawasaki, 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 | 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 Kawasaki, 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 Kawasaki, 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 Kawasaki, Japan
Kawasaki, Japan is located in the eastern part of the country, within the Greater Tokyo Area. The region is largely urbanized with a mix of residential, commercial and industrial areas. It is relatively flat with an average elevation of about 20 meters above sea level.
The topography does not have many hills or mountains that would obstruct sunlight making it potentially suitable for solar PV installations. However, due to its dense urban development and high population density, finding large open spaces for large-scale solar PV projects could be challenging.
That being said, there are several potential areas around Kawasaki that may be suitable for large-scale solar PV:
1. Industrial Areas: Large rooftops on factories or warehouses can be used to install rooftop solar panels.
2. Unused Land: Any unused land or brownfield sites in the outskirts of Kawasaki could also be potential locations.
3. Near Water Bodies: There are several rivers running through Kawasaki where floating solar farms could potentially be installed.
4. Coastal Areas: The coastal areas near Tokyo Bay might provide larger open spaces suited for such installations.
However, any decision on installing a large scale Solar PV should consider factors like local regulations and policies regarding renewable energy installations; availability and cost of land; proximity to power grid connections; as well as environmental impact assessments among others alongside topography analysis.
It's also worth noting that Japan has been actively promoting renewable energy sources after the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011 which includes encouraging installation of both small- and large-scale photovoltaic systems across the country including in cities like Kawasaki.
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: Sunday 14th of July 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.
