Mori, Kanagawa, Japan, located at 35.4145°N, 139.6127°E, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, which can be both advantageous and challenging for solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Mori peaks during the summer months, with an impressive 5.27 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind at 5.22 kWh/day, making these seasons ideal for maximizing solar output. Autumn and winter see a decrease in production, with 3.56 kWh/day and 3.44 kWh/day respectively, due to shorter days and lower sun angles.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Mori, Kanagawa, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 33-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the higher summer sun with the lower winter sun position.

Environmental Considerations

While Mori's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Typhoons: Japan's Pacific coast is prone to typhoons, which can damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Snow: Winter snowfall may temporarily reduce panel efficiency, though the region's relatively mild winters minimize this impact.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental challenges, solar installations in Mori should incorporate sturdy mounting systems capable of withstanding high winds. Additionally, using panels with anti-reflective coatings can help improve performance during overcast days, which are common in the region's humid subtropical climate.

Overall, Mori's location provides a good balance of solar potential throughout the year, with particularly strong performance in spring and summer. While there are some environmental considerations, proper installation techniques and equipment selection can help ensure consistent and efficient solar energy production in this Japanese locale.

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 Mori

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.4145, Longitude: 139.6127 (Mori, 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 Mori, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mori, Japan (Lat/Long 35.4145, 139.6127) 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 Mori, 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 Mori, 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 Mori, 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 Mori, 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 Mori, Japan

The topography around Mori, Japan, located at approximately 35.4145°N latitude and 139.6127°E longitude, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines coastal features with hilly terrain. This area is situated on the eastern coast of Japan's main island, Honshu, and is part of the Kanagawa Prefecture. The coastline near Mori is marked by gentle slopes that gradually rise from the shores of Sagami Bay. As one moves inland, the terrain becomes increasingly undulating, with a series of low hills and small valleys. These hills are part of the Miura Peninsula, which extends southward into the Pacific Ocean. The elevation in this region generally ranges from sea level along the coast to around 100-200 meters above sea level in the hilly areas. Vegetation in the area consists of a mix of deciduous and evergreen forests, interspersed with agricultural land and urban development. The hills are often covered with dense foliage, while the flatter areas near the coast have been largely developed for residential and commercial purposes.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar PV would be relatively flat, open areas with minimal shading and good access to existing infrastructure. The coastal plains and gently sloping areas near Mori could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas typically receive ample sunlight and have fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels. However, the availability of such land may be limited due to existing urban development and agricultural use. Some of the less steep hillsides in the region might also be considered for solar PV projects. South-facing slopes would be particularly advantageous as they receive more direct sunlight throughout the day. However, the use of hilly terrain for solar installations would require careful planning and potentially more complex and costly construction techniques. It's important to note that the densely populated nature of the Kanagawa Prefecture may pose challenges in finding large, unoccupied areas suitable for extensive solar PV installations. As a result, smaller-scale rooftop solar projects on existing buildings might be a more practical alternative in this region. Any large-scale solar PV development in the area would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, local regulations, and the balance between energy production and preservation of the natural landscape and agricultural lands that characterize this part of Japan.

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.