Nishihara, Saitama, Japan, located at 36.0199° N, 139.7183° E in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during spring and summer months.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy output in Nishihara fluctuates significantly across seasons. Spring sees the highest daily production at 5.21 kWh per kW of installed capacity, closely followed by summer at 5.11 kWh/day. Autumn and winter experience a notable decrease, with 3.52 kWh/day and 3.15 kWh/day, respectively.

The most ideal times for solar generation in Nishihara are from late March through early October. During this period, longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight contribute to increased energy production. However, even during the less productive winter months, the system still generates a substantial amount of electricity.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Nishihara, Saitama, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Nishihara's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Snowfall: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps shed snow more easily.
2. Typhoons: The region may experience typhoons, which can potentially damage solar installations. Using high-quality, wind-resistant mounting systems is crucial.
3. Humidity: High humidity levels during summer can slightly reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.

To ensure optimal energy production, it's advisable to use high-efficiency panels with anti-reflective coatings, implement a robust cleaning schedule, and consider a tracking system for even greater energy capture. Additionally, installing a monitoring system can help quickly identify and address any performance issues.

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 Nishihara

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.0199, Longitude: 139.7183 (Nishihara, 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 Nishihara, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nishihara, Japan (Lat/Long 36.0199, 139.7183) 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 Nishihara, 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 Nishihara, 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	42° South in Autumn	51° 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 Nishihara, 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 Nishihara, 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 Nishihara, Japan

The topography around Nishihara, Japan, located at latitude 36.0199 and longitude 139.7183, is characterized by a mix of flat lowlands and gently rolling hills. This area is situated in the Kanto Plain, one of Japan's largest and most populous flatlands. The region surrounding Nishihara is primarily composed of agricultural fields, small urban areas, and scattered patches of forest. To the west of Nishihara, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of the Kanto Mountains, which form part of the larger Japanese Alps. These mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the area but are not immediately adjacent to Nishihara itself. The eastern side of Nishihara slopes gently towards the Tone River, one of the major waterways in the region.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flat agricultural lands surrounding Nishihara present the most promising opportunities. These open spaces offer several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the relatively level terrain of the Kanto Plain provides ample space for the installation of solar panels without the need for extensive land modification. This flat topography also ensures that the panels can be oriented optimally to capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day. Secondly, the agricultural areas often have existing access roads and are typically located near power infrastructure, which can reduce the costs associated with connecting new solar installations to the grid. However, it's important to note that the use of agricultural land for solar energy production would need to be carefully balanced with food production needs. Some nearby areas that might be particularly well-suited for solar PV development include fallow fields, abandoned agricultural lands, or areas that are less productive for farming. The gently sloping areas to the west, as the land begins to rise towards the mountains, could also be considered for solar installations. These slightly elevated areas may benefit from reduced shading and potentially clearer skies, maximizing solar energy capture. While the forested areas in the region are less suitable for large-scale solar projects due to the need for extensive clearing, any existing clearings or logged areas near the forest edges could be potential sites for smaller solar installations. In conclusion, the flat agricultural lands and gently sloping areas surrounding Nishihara offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV development, provided that careful consideration is given to land use and environmental impacts.

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.