Miyamae Ku, Kanagawa, Japan, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a relatively favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. With coordinates of 35.5914° N, 139.5829° E, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy potential in Miyamae Ku fluctuates across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.27 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, yielding 5.22 kWh/day. Autumn and winter see a noticeable decrease in production, with 3.56 kWh/day and 3.44 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Miyamae Ku are during the spring and summer months. These seasons benefit from longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies, maximizing the potential for solar energy capture. While autumn and winter show reduced output, they still contribute significantly to the overall annual energy production.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Miyamae Ku, Kanagawa, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position, ensuring the best possible energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Miyamae Ku generally offers good conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Seasonal rainfall: Japan experiences a rainy season, typically from June to July, which could temporarily reduce solar output.
• Typhoons: The region can be affected by typhoons, primarily between August and October, potentially causing temporary disruptions.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate the impact of these factors and ensure optimal energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

1. Use high-quality, weather-resistant panels designed to withstand heavy rainfall and strong winds.
2. Implement a robust mounting system to secure panels during typhoons or severe weather events.
3. Install a reliable drainage system to prevent water accumulation on panels during heavy rains.
4. Regular maintenance and cleaning to remove any debris or dust that may accumulate, especially after storms or during drier periods.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Miyamae Ku can maximize their energy production potential and maintain efficiency throughout the year, despite occasional challenging weather conditions.

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 Miyamae Ku

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5914, Longitude: 139.5829 (Miyamae Ku, 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 Miyamae Ku, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Miyamae Ku, Japan (Lat/Long 35.5914, 139.5829) 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 Miyamae Ku, 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 Miyamae Ku, 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 Miyamae Ku, 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 Miyamae Ku, 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 Miyamae Ku, Japan

Miyamae-ku, located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, is situated in an area with varied topography. The region is characterized by a mix of flat lowlands and gently rolling hills, typical of the transition between coastal plains and inland mountainous areas. The eastern part of Miyamae-ku, closer to Tokyo Bay, is relatively flat and densely populated. As you move westward, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating, with low hills and shallow valleys. These hills are part of the Tama Hills, a range of modest elevations that extend across parts of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. The area's topography has been shaped by centuries of human habitation and development. Many of the gentler slopes have been terraced for agriculture or modified for residential and commercial use. Small streams and drainage channels crisscross the landscape, though many have been channelized or covered in urban areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would offer ample space, minimal shading, and good sun exposure throughout the day. The hilly areas to the west of Miyamae-ku could potentially offer suitable sites for solar farms. South-facing slopes would be particularly advantageous, as they receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. However, the challenge in this region is finding large, contiguous areas that are not already developed or protected as green spaces. The flatter areas to the east, while more densely populated, might offer opportunities for solar installations on large rooftops of industrial or commercial buildings. This approach would make efficient use of existing structures without requiring additional land. It's important to note that the entire region around Miyamae-ku is highly urbanized, which presents challenges for large-scale solar projects. Any significant installations would likely need to be planned in conjunction with urban renewal projects or by repurposing existing structures and spaces. Areas slightly further afield, such as parts of neighboring Tama Ward or even into Yamanashi Prefecture to the west, might offer more opportunities for large-scale solar farms. These regions have more open space and could potentially accommodate bigger installations while still being close enough to feed power into the grid serving the greater Tokyo metropolitan area. In conclusion, while the immediate vicinity of Miyamae-ku presents challenges for large-scale solar PV due to its urban nature and varied topography, creative solutions utilizing existing structures and careful planning could still yield opportunities for significant solar energy production in the 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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.