Matsuyama, Tokyo, Japan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with noticeable seasonal variations. The city experiences moderate solar production potential that follows typical seasonal patterns for its latitude.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar panels in Matsuyama generate their highest output during the summer months, producing approximately 5.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.22 kWh/day per kW installed. Energy production decreases significantly during autumn (3.56 kWh/day) and winter (3.44 kWh/day), when the sun's path is lower in the sky and days are shorter.

This seasonal pattern means that Matsuyama's solar potential is almost 35% lower in winter compared to summer, which is typical for locations in the Northern Temperate Zone. The good news is that the spring and summer months provide excellent solar generation opportunities, making up for the reduced winter output.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Matsuyama, Tokyo, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar collection based on the sun's position throughout the year at this specific latitude, weighted according to daily PV potential.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in Matsuyama could affect solar production:

• Typhoon season (typically June to October) can bring high winds and heavy rainfall, potentially damaging panels or reducing efficiency through cloud cover.
• Matsuyama experiences a moderate rainy season (tsuyu) in June and July, which can temporarily reduce solar output.
• Snow accumulation in winter, while not typically heavy in Matsuyama, Tokyo, can occasionally cover panels and reduce generation.
• Air pollution from nearby urban areas can create a thin film on panels over time, gradually reducing efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Matsuyama despite these challenges, consider these preventative measures:

• Install sturdy mounting systems rated for typhoon-force winds, with additional reinforcement during the typhoon season.
• Use self-cleaning panels or implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly after pollen season and before winter.
• Consider a slight increase in panel tilt angle (beyond the optimal 33 degrees) if winter snow accumulation is a concern, as this helps snow slide off more easily.
• Install microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading from nearby buildings or trees.
• Implement a robust monitoring system to quickly identify and address any performance issues.

Overall, Matsuyama provides a good location for solar PV installation, with peak production during spring and summer months helping to offset the lower winter and autumn production. With proper installation techniques and maintenance, solar energy can be a reliable power source throughout the year.

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 Matsuyama

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6682, Longitude: 139.6647 (Matsuyama, 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 Matsuyama, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Matsuyama, Japan (Lat/Long 35.6682, 139.6647) 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 Matsuyama, 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 Matsuyama, 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 Matsuyama, 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 Matsuyama, Japan.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Matsuyama, Japan

The topography surrounding Matsuyama, Japan presents a diverse landscape characterized by mountains, coastal plains, and river valleys. Matsuyama is situated on the northwestern part of Shikoku Island, nestled between the Seto Inland Sea to the north and the mountainous interior to the south and east. The city itself occupies a relatively flat coastal plain, but is embraced by mountains that create a distinctive basin-like setting.

Mountain Ranges

The city is surrounded by several mountain ranges, with the most prominent being the Ishizuchi mountain range to the east, which includes Mount Ishizuchi, the highest peak in western Japan at approximately 1,982 meters. These mountains form part of the backbone of Shikoku Island and create a natural boundary that influences the local climate and geography. The northern parts of Matsuyama face the Seto Inland Sea, providing a coastal landscape with numerous small islands visible from the mainland.

River Systems

The Shigenobu River flows through Matsuyama and empties into the Seto Inland Sea, creating fertile alluvial plains that have historically supported agriculture in the region. This river system has shaped the local topography, carving valleys through the mountainous terrain and depositing sediment that forms the flat areas where much of the city's development has occurred.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around Matsuyama show particular promise: The coastal plains north of the city offer relatively flat terrain with minimal shadowing from mountains, making them potentially suitable for solar farms. These areas benefit from good exposure to sunlight throughout the day and have fewer obstacles that might cast shadows on solar panels. The elevated plateaus to the south and east of Matsuyama, where the terrain begins to rise toward the mountains but remains relatively flat, could also be advantageous locations. These areas often experience less fog than the coastal regions and may have clearer atmospheric conditions for solar energy collection. Former agricultural lands that have been abandoned due to Japan's aging rural population might present opportunities for solar development. These areas typically have already been cleared of vegetation and have existing access roads, reducing the environmental impact and development costs of new solar installations.

Topographical Challenges

Despite these promising areas, the mountainous nature of much of the surrounding region presents challenges for large-scale solar development. The steep slopes and dense forests that characterize the eastern and southern approaches to Matsuyama are generally less suitable for solar farms due to difficult construction conditions, potential for landslides, and shadowing effects from the terrain itself. Additionally, the limited amount of flat land in the region means that solar developments might compete with agricultural, residential, and industrial land uses, particularly in the more accessible coastal plains. This competition for space might necessitate creative approaches to solar installation, such as dual-use systems that allow for agricultural activities beneath elevated solar panels. The complex topography of the Matsuyama region ultimately requires careful site selection for solar PV installations, with particular attention to elevation, slope orientation, accessibility, and existing land use patterns to maximize energy generation potential while minimizing environmental and social impacts.

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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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.