Solar PV Analysis of Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki, Japan, which is located in the Northern Sub Tropics, can be considered a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies depending on the season. During summer and spring, you could expect to generate around 5.48kWh/day and 5.07kWh/day respectively per kilowatt of installed solar power capacity. These are quite high figures indicating that these seasons would be ideal times for generating solar energy.
In autumn and winter though, the output drops to 4.14kWh/day and 2.86kWh/day respectively per kilowatt of installed capacity due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight during these seasons.
If you're installing fixed panel installations at this location, it's recommended that they're tilted at an angle of about 29 degrees facing South to get maximum exposure to sunlight all year round.
However, there are also some local factors that could potentially hinder solar production in Nagasaki. For instance, Nagasaki experiences a subtropical climate with a rainy season from June through July which might limit sun exposure for your panels during this period leading to reduced energy generation.
To mitigate this issue as much as possible when installing your panels: consider using mounting systems that allow adjusting the tilt angle so you can maximize sun exposure during different times of the year; clean your panels regularly especially after heavy rainfall or storms to remove any dust or debris blocking sunlight; finally if possible install additional capacity so even on cloudy days you still have enough power being generated.
Overall while not perfect due its weather variations across different seasons; with careful planning around installation angles and regular maintenance - Nagasaki does present itself as a reasonably suitable location for harnessing solar energy most parts of the year.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Nagasaki
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.7481, Longitude: 129.8816 (Nagasaki, 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 29° South in Nagasaki, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nagasaki, Japan (Lat/Long 32.7481, 129.8816) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 26° 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 Nagasaki, 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 Nagasaki, Japan.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Nagasaki, Japan
Nagasaki, Japan is located in a mountainous region with the city itself situated on a plain near the coast. It's surrounded by steep hills and mountains, with numerous rivers flowing through it towards the sea. The coastline is irregular and dotted with several small islands.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are most suitable as they allow for easy installation and maintenance of solar panels. Given Nagasaki's topography, coastal areas on the plains might be viable locations for such installations. Also, any flatter areas within the hilly terrain could potentially be used.
However, considering that Nagasaki's weather is often cloudy due to its humid subtropical climate which can limit sunlight exposure necessary for optimal solar energy production, careful feasibility studies would need to be conducted before any large-scale implementation.
Additionally, offshore floating solar farms could also be an option given Nagasaki's proximity to water bodies. These types of setups have been successful in other parts of Japan like Kagoshima Prefecture where Kyocera Corporation and Century Tokyo Leasing Corporation jointly established a 13.7 megawatt floating solar power plant on the Yamakura Dam reservoir.
In terms of infrastructure development or repurposing existing structures for renewable energy generation - rooftops of buildings throughout the city (residential or commercial), parking lots or unused industrial land can also serve as potential sites for smaller scale PV systems.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 14th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
