Minamiogikubo, Tokyo, Japan, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates of 35.7008° N, 139.6248° E, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Minamiogikubo demonstrate peak performance during the summer months, producing an average of 5.28 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring closely follows with 5.26 kWh/day, making these seasons ideal for maximizing solar energy output. Autumn and winter see a decrease in production, with 3.62 kWh/day and 3.50 kWh/day respectively, due to shorter daylight hours and potentially overcast conditions.

Optimal Panel Installation

To achieve the highest year-round energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Minamiogikubo generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Seasonal rainfall, particularly during the rainy season (typically June to July), may temporarily reduce solar efficiency.
• Occasional typhoons in late summer and early autumn could pose a risk to solar installations if not properly secured.

Mitigation Strategies

To address these environmental challenges and ensure optimal solar production, consider implementing the following measures:

1. Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to withstand heavy rainfall and strong winds.
2. Install a robust mounting system capable of enduring typhoon-force winds.
3. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove any debris or dust that may accumulate, especially after storms or during dry periods.
4. Consider adding a backup battery system to store excess energy for use during periods of lower solar production.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Minamiogikubo can maximize their energy output and maintain efficiency throughout the year, making it a viable location for long-term solar energy production.

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 Minamiogikubo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7008, Longitude: 139.6248 (Minamiogikubo, 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 Minamiogikubo, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Minamiogikubo, Japan (Lat/Long 35.7008, 139.6248) 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 Minamiogikubo, 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 Minamiogikubo, 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 Minamiogikubo, 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 Minamiogikubo, 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 Minamiogikubo, Japan

Minamiogikubo, located in Tokyo, Japan, is situated in an area characterized by a mix of urban and suburban landscapes. The topography of this region is generally flat to gently rolling, typical of the Kanto Plain on which Tokyo is built. The area around Minamiogikubo is densely populated, with a combination of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and small pockets of green spaces. The terrain in this part of Tokyo is relatively low-lying, with elevations typically ranging from 30 to 60 meters above sea level. While there are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity, the landscape gradually rises towards the west, where the Musashino Plateau begins. This plateau forms a natural boundary between Tokyo's urban sprawl and the more rural areas of western Tokyo and neighboring Saitama Prefecture.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to note that the dense urban nature of Tokyo presents challenges for such projects. However, there are some potential options in the broader region: The Tama area, located to the west of central Tokyo, offers more open spaces and slightly higher elevations. This region, which includes parts of western Tokyo and extends into Kanagawa Prefecture, has less dense development and could potentially accommodate larger solar installations. Areas further out in Saitama Prefecture, particularly towards the north and northwest of Tokyo, have more available land that could be suitable for solar farms. These regions tend to have a mix of agricultural land and less densely populated areas, which could be repurposed for renewable energy projects. The coastal areas of Tokyo Bay, while not in the immediate vicinity of Minamiogikubo, offer another potential location for large-scale solar installations. Some of these areas include reclaimed land and industrial zones that could be adapted for solar energy production. It's worth noting that while these areas may have more suitable topography and available space for large-scale solar PV, any such projects would need to carefully consider local zoning laws, environmental impacts, and the challenges of integrating into the existing power grid. Additionally, creative solutions such as floating solar farms on reservoirs or large-scale rooftop installations on industrial buildings could be explored as alternatives in this highly urbanized region.

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.