Solar PV Analysis of Okayama, Japan
The location of Okayama, Japan is fairly good for year-round solar energy production, although it's not perfect. This is because the amount of electricity that can be generated from solar power changes throughout the year. In summer and spring, you can expect to generate around 5.35 and 5.26 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar panels respectively. However, in autumn and winter, this drops to about 3.92 and 3.05 kilowatt-hours per day respectively.
Therefore, the best times to generate solar power at this location are during spring and summer when sunlight is most abundant.
If you're planning on installing fixed panels here, tilting them at an angle of 31 degrees towards the south will help maximize your total yearly energy production.
As for potential obstacles to solar production in Okayama: Japan's rainy season (June-July) could reduce sunlight exposure and thus decrease energy output during these months; heavy snowfall in winter might also cover panels reducing their effectiveness; moreover, local buildings or trees may cast shadows on your panels which could lower their productivity as well.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Regular maintenance like cleaning off accumulated rainwater or snow from your panels will ensure they function optimally.
2) If possible choose a site with minimal shading from nearby structures or vegetation.
3) Consider using adjustable mounts that allow you to change the tilt angle of your panel throughout the year maximizing sun exposure.
4) Using high-efficiency PV modules can also help offset some losses due to environmental factors as they can produce more electricity under less than ideal conditions.
In summary, while there are certain periods where production may be lower due to seasonal changes or environmental factors such as rainfall or snowfall - with proper setup including optimal tilt angle (31 degrees South), careful site selection avoiding shade-causing obstructions along with regular maintenance - Okayama can still provide a good site for solar energy generation year-round.
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 Okayama
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.6501, Longitude: 133.9311 (Okayama, 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 Okayama, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Okayama, Japan (Lat/Long 34.6501, 133.9311) 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 Okayama, 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 Okayama, 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 Okayama, 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 Okayama, 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 Okayama, Japan
Okayama is located in the Chugoku region of Japan, and it mostly consists of plains. The city is situated between the Seto Inland Sea and the Chugoku Mountains, with multiple rivers running through it. This makes Okayama one of Japan's most significant agricultural regions.
The topography around Okayama is a mix of flat lands (plains) suitable for agriculture, rolling hills, and mountains towards the north. The climate is mild with plenty of sunshine throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, flat or gently sloping areas are usually preferred due to ease of installation and maintenance. Therefore, unused agricultural lands or industrial areas around Okayama could be potential sites for such projects.
Moreover, given its coastal location near Seto Inland Sea, offshore floating solar farms might also be a viable option as they have been successfully implemented in other parts of Japan.
However, any decision related to large-scale solar PV installations would require careful consideration about land use policies, environmental impact assessments and local community acceptance along with technical feasibility studies.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 6th of March 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.
