Sakawa, Saitama, Japan, located at 35.8727°N, 139.6158°E in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents a reasonably favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variations in electricity output provide insights into the potential for solar power production in this area.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Sakawa shows notable fluctuations across the seasons. Summer and spring emerge as the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.28 kWh and 5.26 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn and winter see a decrease in production, yielding 3.62 kWh and 3.50 kWh per day per kW installed.

The peak performance during summer and spring can be attributed to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy generation. Conversely, the reduced output in autumn and winter is likely due to shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially increased cloud cover.

Optimal Panel Orientation

For fixed panel installations in Sakawa, Saitama, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing south. This orientation helps optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.

Environmental Considerations

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

1. Seasonal rainfall: Japan experiences a rainy season, typically from June to July, which could temporarily reduce solar output.
2. Snow accumulation: Winter snowfall, though usually not heavy in this region, could potentially cover panels and decrease efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels at a steeper angle to promote self-cleaning and snow shedding. Additionally, regular maintenance and cleaning schedules can help ensure optimal performance year-round.

Overall, Sakawa provides a suitable location for solar PV installations, with particularly strong potential during the spring and summer months. While there are some seasonal challenges, proper planning and installation techniques can help maximize 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 Sakawa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8727, Longitude: 139.6158 (Sakawa, 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 Sakawa, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sakawa, Japan (Lat/Long 35.8727, 139.6158) 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 Sakawa, 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 Sakawa, 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 Sakawa, 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 Sakawa, 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 Sakawa, Japan

The topography around Sakawa, Japan, located at coordinates 35.8727°N, 139.6158°E, is characterized by a mix of urban and suburban landscapes with some hilly terrain. This area is situated in the Kanto region of Japan, northwest of Tokyo in Saitama Prefecture. The terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, with some low hills and small valleys interspersed throughout the region. To the west of Sakawa, the land gradually rises towards the foothills of the Chichibu Mountains, which are part of the larger Kanto Mountain Range. These mountains provide a scenic backdrop to the area and contribute to the region's varied topography. The eastern side of Sakawa is more urbanized, with a flatter landscape that extends towards the Kanto Plain. Several rivers and streams flow through the area, including the Arakawa River, which is one of the major waterways in the region. These water bodies have shaped the local terrain over time, creating some low-lying areas and gentle slopes along their banks.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, there are a few factors to consider. The ideal locations for solar PV projects typically require large, flat or gently sloping areas with good sun exposure and minimal shading. In the vicinity of Sakawa, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found in the more open, rural spaces to the northwest and west of the town. These areas tend to have less urban development and more available land that could potentially be used for solar installations. The gently rolling terrain in these directions could provide good sun exposure throughout the day. However, it's important to note that much of the land in this region is already in use for agriculture or other purposes. Any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider land use regulations, environmental impact, and the needs of local communities. Areas to the east and southeast of Sakawa, while flatter, are more densely populated and urbanized, making them less suitable for large-scale solar installations. These areas might be better suited for smaller, rooftop solar projects rather than utility-scale installations. In conclusion, while the topography around Sakawa offers some potential for solar PV development, careful site selection and planning would be necessary to identify the most suitable locations for large-scale projects. The hilly areas to the west and northwest of the town may offer the best balance of available land and favorable terrain for solar energy production.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.