Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan, located at 42.3307°N, 140.9942°E, presents a mixed picture for solar energy generation throughout the year. This northern temperate zone location experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Muroran peaks during the summer months, with an impressive 5.65 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 4.76 kWh daily. However, autumn sees a considerable drop to 3.16 kWh per day, while winter performance plummets to a mere 1.57 kWh daily.

These figures highlight the stark contrast between summer and winter production, with summer yielding more than three times the energy of winter months. This variation underscores the importance of proper system sizing to ensure adequate year-round energy supply.

Optimal Panel Orientation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Muroran, Hokkaido, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 36-degree angle facing south. This orientation helps balance the seasonal variations and optimize overall annual energy yield.

Environmental Considerations

Muroran's climate presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences significant snowfall during winter months, which can accumulate on solar panels and reduce their efficiency. To mitigate this issue, installers should consider:

• Using steeper panel angles to encourage snow sliding off
• Installing snow guards or heating elements to prevent snow buildup

Additionally, Muroran's coastal location may expose solar installations to salt spray, potentially causing corrosion over time. To combat this, using marine-grade materials and applying protective coatings to solar equipment is advisable.

Conclusion

While Muroran's location is not ideal for year-round solar energy production due to its significant seasonal variations, proper system design and preventative measures can still make solar PV a viable energy option. The strong summer and spring performance can help offset the reduced winter output, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking to harness renewable energy in this northern Japanese city.

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 Muroran

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.3307, Longitude: 140.9942 (Muroran, 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 36° South in Muroran, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Muroran, Japan (Lat/Long 42.3307, 140.9942) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Muroran, 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 Muroran, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
26° South in Summer	46° South in Autumn	57° South in Winter	35° 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 Muroran, 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 Muroran, 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 Muroran, Japan

Muroran, a city located on the southwestern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, is characterized by a diverse and rugged topography. The city is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding hills and mountains, creating a unique landscape that combines coastal features with inland terrain. The coastline of Muroran is marked by steep cliffs and rocky shores, with numerous bays and inlets carving into the land. These dramatic coastal formations offer stunning views of the ocean and provide natural harbors that have historically been important for the city's development as a port town. The famous Cape Chikyu, located to the east of the city center, exemplifies this rugged coastal scenery with its sheer cliffs dropping into the sea. Inland from the coast, the terrain gradually rises into rolling hills and low mountains. These elevations are part of the broader Hokkaido mountain ranges and contribute to Muroran's varied topography. The hills are often covered in dense forests, typical of Hokkaido's natural landscape. This hilly terrain creates numerous valleys and small plateaus throughout the area.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Muroran for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would offer relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal environmental impact. The hilly areas surrounding Muroran present both challenges and opportunities for solar PV development. While the slopes can sometimes provide optimal angles for solar panels, steep terrain can make installation and maintenance difficult. However, some of the plateaus and gentler slopes in the region could be suitable for solar farms if they receive adequate sunlight throughout the year. Areas to the north and east of Muroran, where the terrain becomes less mountainous and opens up into broader plains, might offer more promising locations for large-scale solar PV installations. These areas typically have more consistent topography and potentially larger open spaces that could accommodate extensive solar arrays. It's important to note that Hokkaido's climate, with its heavy snowfall in winter, presents unique challenges for solar energy production. Any large-scale solar PV project in the region would need to account for snow accumulation and reduced sunlight during winter months. Despite these challenges, advances in solar technology and creative installation methods could make solar energy a viable option in this northern region 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!

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.