Solar Energy Potential in Namiyoke, Osaka, Japan

Namiyoke, Osaka, Japan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.674, 135.4612, offers reasonable potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences seasonal variations in solar production that are worth understanding for anyone considering a photovoltaic (PV) installation. The energy output varies significantly across the seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, generating approximately 5.30kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind with 5.20kWh/day, making these the two optimal seasons for solar energy production in Namiyoke. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 3.83kWh/day, while winter production drops to its lowest point at 3.05kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Namiyoke, Osaka, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to optimize solar collection throughout the changing seasons, taking into account the specific latitude of this location and the varying solar elevation throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Namiyoke:

• Typhoon season (typically June through October) can bring strong winds and heavy rainfall, potentially damaging panels if not properly secured.
• High humidity levels in summer can slightly reduce panel efficiency and accelerate degradation of components over time.
• Winter snowfall, though typically light in this region, could temporarily cover panels and reduce output.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Namiyoke should include robust mounting systems rated for high wind conditions. Slightly increasing the tilt angle beyond the optimal 31 degrees can help with snow shedding in winter. Additionally, regular maintenance to remove any debris and clean panels, especially after storms or during pollen season, will help maintain optimal production levels. Overall, despite these considerations, Namiyoke offers a favorable location for solar PV installation with particularly strong production potential during spring and summer months.

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 Namiyoke

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.674, Longitude: 135.4612 (Namiyoke, 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 31° South in Namiyoke, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Namiyoke, Japan (Lat/Long 34.674, 135.4612) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Namiyoke, 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 Namiyoke, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	49° South in Winter	28° 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 Namiyoke, 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 Namiyoke, 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 Namiyoke, Japan

Namiyoke, located in the Osaka Prefecture of Japan, sits within the densely developed urban landscape of the Osaka metropolitan area. The topography of this region is characterized primarily by flat coastal plains, as it rests near the eastern shores of Osaka Bay. This area represents part of the Osaka Plain, one of Japan's largest alluvial plains, which was formed by sediment deposits from rivers flowing into Osaka Bay. The immediate vicinity around Namiyoke features minimal elevation changes, with most of the land being nearly at sea level. This flat terrain extends throughout much of the coastal areas of Osaka, gradually rising toward the east where distant mountains form the boundary of the Osaka Plain. The urban development has significantly altered the natural landscape, with most of the area now covered by buildings, roads, and industrial infrastructure.

Surrounding Geographical Features

To the west of Namiyoke lies Osaka Bay, part of the Seto Inland Sea, which separates the islands of Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. The bay provides a natural harbor that has been extensively modified with artificial islands, reclaimed land, and port facilities. Moving eastward from the coast, the terrain remains predominantly flat for several kilometers before beginning a gentle rise toward the mountains. The Yodo River, which flows through Osaka City into Osaka Bay, has historically shaped the plain's formation through sediment deposition. The broader region is bordered by several mountain ranges: the Rokko Mountains to the northwest, the Ikoma Mountains to the east, and the Kongo Mountains to the southeast. These mountains create a basin-like setting for the Osaka Plain, influencing local climate patterns and creating distinct boundaries between the densely populated urban areas and the more rural, elevated regions.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Namiyoke, several factors must be considered including available open space, topography, and existing land use patterns. Given the dense urban development in the immediate area, suitable locations would likely be found in the following areas: Reclaimed land and artificial islands in Osaka Bay present potential opportunities for solar development. These flat, open spaces often have minimal shading issues and could accommodate large installations, though environmental considerations and competing industrial uses may present challenges. The eastern outskirts of the Osaka metropolitan area, where the plain begins to rise toward the mountains, might offer more available land. These transitional areas between dense urban development and rural mountainous regions sometimes contain underutilized land parcels that could be repurposed for solar energy production. Former industrial sites or brownfields within the greater Osaka area could be suitable for solar development. The flat nature of these sites and their existing infrastructure connections make them potentially valuable for renewable energy projects, while also providing environmental remediation benefits. The broader Osaka Plain, extending to the north and south of Namiyoke, contains agricultural areas that might be considered for dual-use solar installations that allow for continued farming activities beneath raised solar panels. It's worth noting that the mountainous areas surrounding the Osaka Plain, while offering more open space, present challenges for large-scale solar development due to their steeper slopes, forest coverage, and potential shading issues. However, certain south-facing slopes with appropriate grading could be suitable for smaller solar installations if properly engineered. The most practical approach for large-scale solar development in this region would likely involve identifying and aggregating multiple medium-sized sites rather than seeking a single large installation area, given the constraints of this highly developed metropolitan 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!

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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

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