Oyama, Tochigi, Japan, located at 36.2982°N, 139.7995°E, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This northern temperate zone city experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, providing opportunities for consistent energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy generation in Oyama peaks during the spring and summer months. Spring yields the highest average daily output at 5.17 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 5.09 kWh/day. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximum solar energy production.

Autumn and winter see a decrease in solar potential, with autumn producing 3.46 kWh/day and winter dropping to 3.08 kWh/day. While these figures are lower, they still indicate that solar PV systems can generate a meaningful amount of energy year-round in Oyama.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Oyama, Tochigi, 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, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Oyama's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Oyama generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Snowfall: Oyama experiences snowfall during winter months, which can potentially cover solar panels and reduce their efficiency. To mitigate this, installers can use steeper tilt angles for panels or implement automated snow removal systems.

2. Cloudy days: Like much of Japan, Oyama can have periods of overcast weather, particularly during the rainy season (typically June to July). While modern solar panels can still generate some electricity on cloudy days, overall production may be reduced during these times.

3. Typhoons: Oyama may occasionally be affected by typhoons, which can bring strong winds and heavy rainfall. Ensuring robust mounting systems and using high-quality, weather-resistant panels can help protect the solar installation during extreme weather events.

By addressing these factors during the planning and installation phases, solar PV systems in Oyama can be optimized for consistent and efficient energy production throughout the year.

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 Oyama

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.2982, Longitude: 139.7995 (Oyama, 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 Oyama, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Oyama, Japan (Lat/Long 36.2982, 139.7995) 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 Oyama, 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 Oyama, 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	30° 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 Oyama, 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 Oyama, 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 Oyama, Japan

The topography around Oyama, Japan, is characterized by a mix of flat lowlands and gently rolling hills. Located in the Kanto Plain, Oyama sits in a relatively level area surrounded by more elevated terrain. To the west, the landscape gradually rises towards the foothills of the Kanto Mountains, while to the east, the terrain remains predominantly flat as it extends towards the Pacific coast. The city itself is situated near the confluence of two rivers, the Omoigawa and the Tagawa, which have shaped the local landscape over time. These waterways have created fertile alluvial plains that are now primarily used for agriculture. The immediate vicinity of Oyama features a patchwork of urban development, farmland, and scattered wooded areas.

Suitable Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Oyama, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those that offer ample open space, receive consistent sunlight, and have minimal shading from natural or man-made structures. The flat agricultural lands to the east and southeast of Oyama present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These areas benefit from their level terrain, which simplifies installation and maintenance of solar panels. Additionally, the lack of significant geographical features in this direction means there are fewer obstacles to block sunlight throughout the day. Another potential location for solar PV installations could be the gently sloping hillsides to the west of Oyama. While these areas may require some terraforming, south-facing slopes can be particularly advantageous for maximizing solar exposure. However, care must be taken to avoid areas with dense forest cover or steep inclines that could complicate construction and increase costs. It's important to note that while the topography around Oyama offers several suitable locations for solar PV, other factors such as land ownership, zoning regulations, and proximity to electrical infrastructure would also need to be considered when planning large-scale solar projects. Furthermore, any development would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of agricultural land and natural habitats that are vital to the region's ecology and economy.

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.