Solar Energy Potential in Mutsukawa, Kanagawa, Japan

Mutsukawa, Kanagawa, Japan, located in the Northern Temperate Zone at coordinates 35.4278° N, 139.5821° E, offers reasonably good conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations. The location demonstrates strong solar production during the warmer months, with summer yielding the highest daily output at 5.27 kWh per kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.22 kWh/day per kW. These seasons represent the prime solar production periods for Mutsukawa. Energy production decreases significantly during the cooler months, with autumn generating 3.56 kWh/day and winter producing 3.44 kWh/day per kW of installed capacity. While these figures show a noticeable drop from the warmer months, they still provide useful energy production during these seasons. For fixed panel installations in Mutsukawa, Kanagawa, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This specific tilt optimizes the annual energy yield by balancing seasonal variations in sun position throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors could potentially impact solar production in Mutsukawa:

• Typhoon exposure: Japan's Pacific coast faces seasonal typhoons that can damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Heavy rainfall: The region experiences significant precipitation, particularly during the rainy season (tsuyu) in June and July, which can temporarily reduce solar efficiency.
• Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall, though typically not extreme in this coastal area, can cover panels and reduce production.
• Air pollution: Being in the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, urban air pollution can create haze that diminishes solar irradiance.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Mutsukawa, Kanagawa, several installation precautions should be considered: Robust mounting systems designed to withstand typhoon-force winds are essential for this location. Self-cleaning panel technologies or regular maintenance schedules can help combat efficiency losses from pollution and precipitation. Installing panels at a slightly steeper angle than the optimal 33 degrees might help with snow shedding during winter months, though this trade-off should be carefully calculated. Additionally, considering high-efficiency panels that perform better in diffuse light conditions would be advantageous given the seasonal rainfall patterns. A monitoring system that alerts to production drops can help identify when manual cleaning or maintenance is needed, especially after major weather events.

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 Mutsukawa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.4278, Longitude: 139.5821 (Mutsukawa, 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 Mutsukawa, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mutsukawa, Japan (Lat/Long 35.4278, 139.5821) 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 Mutsukawa, 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 Mutsukawa, 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 Mutsukawa, 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 Mutsukawa, 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 Mutsukawa, Japan

Mutsukawa, located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, sits within the Kanto Plain region near the eastern coast of Japan's main island, Honshu. The topography around Mutsukawa features a mix of coastal lowlands and rolling hills that gradually rise into more pronounced elevations to the west. This area is part of the greater Tokyo metropolitan region, positioned on the western edge of Tokyo Bay. The immediate vicinity of Mutsukawa presents a landscape characterized by gentle slopes and modest hills, with elevations generally ranging from near sea level to approximately 50-100 meters above sea level. The terrain becomes increasingly undulating as one moves westward, eventually transitioning into the foothills of the mountainous regions that form the spine of the Kanto region.

Coastal Influence

The eastern side of Mutsukawa faces Tokyo Bay, creating a relatively flat coastal plain. This coastal area has been extensively developed for urban and industrial purposes, with significant human modification of the original landscape. The shoreline has been altered through land reclamation projects over decades, extending the usable land area into what was once part of Tokyo Bay.

Watershed Features

Several small rivers and streams flow through the area, generally moving from the western highlands toward Tokyo Bay in the east. These waterways have carved shallow valleys into the landscape, creating natural divisions between the rolling hills. The Tsurumi River basin influences the northern parts of this region, while smaller watersheds define local drainage patterns throughout the area.

Potential Solar PV Development Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) development, the most suitable areas near Mutsukawa would be: The reclaimed coastal flatlands to the east offer expansive, level terrain that would minimize site preparation costs for solar installations. These areas typically have minimal shading concerns due to their open exposure and distance from tall landforms. However, many of these areas are already dedicated to industrial and port facilities. The gently sloping hillsides that face south or southeast provide favorable orientation for solar collection. These areas, particularly where agricultural activity has declined or on former industrial sites, could be repurposed for solar energy production. The moderate slopes in these locations would still allow for efficient panel placement without excessive grading requirements. Some of the broader valley floors between the rolling hills present opportunities for medium-scale solar development, especially in areas that have been previously cleared of dense vegetation. These locations often provide good solar access while being somewhat sheltered from the strongest coastal winds.

Topographical Challenges

The more pronounced hills to the west, while potentially offering good solar exposure on their southern faces, present challenges for large-scale development due to steeper grades, potential soil stability concerns, and more complex construction requirements. These areas would likely be better suited for smaller, distributed solar installations rather than utility-scale projects. Areas near the smaller rivers and streams should be approached with caution due to potential flooding risks and the ecological sensitivity of riparian corridors. These waterways create natural breaks in the landscape that would fragment potential solar development areas. The highly urbanized portions of the region present limited opportunities for ground-mounted solar arrays due to the density of existing development. However, these areas might support rooftop solar installations on commercial and industrial buildings, which could collectively constitute significant generating capacity despite not being traditional "large-scale" installations. Overall, the most promising areas for large-scale solar PV development near Mutsukawa would be the moderately sloped, south-facing hillsides and any available flat industrial or post-industrial lands that aren't already committed to other high-value uses. These locations offer the best combination of favorable topography, good solar exposure, and practical development potential.

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.