Solar PV Analysis of Kurume, Japan
Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a decent spot for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels installed here changes with each season.
During summer and spring, you can expect to generate quite a bit of electricity - around 5.37 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.17 kWh/day in spring for every kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. These seasons are ideal times to generate solar at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.
In autumn, the output drops slightly to about 4.03 kWh/day per kW because there's less sunlight as the days get shorter. In winter, it decreases further to approximately 3.01 kWh/day per kW due mainly to short daylight hours and potentially cloudy weather.
To maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of 30 degrees; this will ensure they catch as much sunlight as possible throughout all seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect your solar production here go: Kurume is known for its hot summers but also has occasional rainy periods which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days affecting energy generation efficiency somewhat significantly during those times.
To mitigate these issues when installing your panels: consider using high-quality equipment resistant against harsh weather conditions; install a system that allows adjusting panel angles according to seasonal variations; keep track of local weather forecasts so you can plan accordingly if heavy rain or storms are expected; regular cleaning and maintenance will also help ensuring optimal performance by preventing accumulation of dust or debris on panel surfaces which could block sun rays.
Overall though Kurume is generally suitable for harnessing solar power across all four seasons with just minor considerations needed regarding variable weather conditions.
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 Kurume
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.3174, Longitude: 130.4906 (Kurume, 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 Kurume, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kurume, Japan (Lat/Long 33.3174, 130.4906) 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 Kurume, 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 Kurume, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 48° South in Winter | 26° 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 Kurume, 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 Kurume, 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 Kurume, Japan
Kurume, Japan is located in the Fukuoka Prefecture on Kyushu Island. The topography of Kurume city is a mix of flatlands and hilly terrains. It's surrounded by mountains to the east and south, while the Chikugo River flows through it from north to south.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat areas with abundant sunlight exposure are typically ideal. In Kurume's case, these could be:
1. Flatland Areas: There are several agricultural lands and open spaces in and around Kurume that could potentially be converted for solar PV use if they aren't being actively used for farming or other purposes.
2. Mountain Slopes: While mountainous terrain isn't typically ideal for large-scale solar projects due to installation challenges, southern-facing slopes can still provide good sun exposure if properly designed.
3. Near Water Bodies: Installing floating solar panels on bodies of water like the Chikugo River or nearby reservoirs could also be an option worth exploring.
4. Industrial Zones/Building Roofs: Large industrial buildings with extensive roof space can also host rooftop solar installations without requiring additional land resources.
However, any specific site selection would require further detailed study considering various factors such as local climate conditions (like cloud cover), land availability & cost, accessibility, proximity to power grid connections etc.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 16th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
