Solar PV Analysis of Kitakyushu, Japan
Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan is a fairly good place for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity produced by each kilowatt of installed solar power varies depending on the season. In summer and spring, you can expect around 5.37 and 5.17 kilowatt-hours per day respectively, which are pretty high rates indicating these seasons are ideal times for solar generation at this location. During autumn and winter, the output drops to about 4.03 and 3.01 kilowatt-hours per day respectively; however, it's still decent enough to consider using solar power.
For a fixed panel installation in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, tilting panels at an angle of 30 degrees towards the South would maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
As far as potential barriers to generating solar energy in Kitakyushu go, weather could be one factor worth considering given that it's located in Northern Sub Tropics region which might experience heavy rainfall or typhoons occasionally that could reduce sunlight exposure or potentially damage your panels if not properly secured.
To ensure maximum productivity despite these challenges:
1) Opt for durable panels with reliable mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds.
2) Consider installing adjustable tilt mounts so you can change the angle of your panels according to seasonal sun positions.
3) Regularly clean and maintain your panels (especially after storms or heavy rainfalls), as dirt or debris can block sunlight and decrease efficiency.
4) Install a monitoring system to track performance data real-time so that any issues affecting productivity can be identified quickly.
Remember though - while these measures will help increase production overall they may also add up-front costs but should pay off over time by securing better efficiency from your PV system throughout its life span!
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 Kitakyushu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8483, Longitude: 130.8477 (Kitakyushu, 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 Kitakyushu, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kitakyushu, Japan (Lat/Long 33.8483, 130.8477) 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 Kitakyushu, 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 Kitakyushu, 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 | 49° 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 Kitakyushu, 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 Kitakyushu, 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 Kitakyushu, Japan
Kitakyushu is located on the northernmost tip of Kyushu Island in Japan. The city is situated between the Seto Inland Sea and the Genkai Sea, with a mountainous terrain to its west and flat plains towards the east. The topography is characterized by hilly areas, coastal plains, and urbanized regions.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat terrains are usually preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize efficiency. Therefore, the eastern part of Kitakyushu that includes plains would be more suitable for such projects. Moreover, these locations should ideally be close to existing power grid infrastructure for easier energy transmission.
Additionally, any unused industrial lands or brownfields within the city could also be potential sites for solar PV as they often have good infrastructure access. However, it's important to note that all potential sites would need detailed assessment considering various factors including sunlight exposure levels (solar irradiance), land use restrictions among others before proceeding with solar project development.
It's also worth noting that Japan has been encouraging floating solar photovoltaic systems (also known as "floatovoltaics") which can be installed on bodies of water like ponds or reservoirs. This could potentially be an option given Kitakyushu's proximity to sea waters but would require further feasibility studies regarding environmental impact and technical considerations.
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 15th of April 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.
