Solar PV Analysis of Sendai, Japan
The location at Sendai, Miyagi, Japan is moderately suitable for solar energy production year-round. During the summer and spring, it can generate around 5.28kWh/day and 5.01kWh/day respectively per kilowatt of installed solar panels, which are quite good numbers. However, during autumn and winter, these figures drop to 3.21kWh/day and even lower to 2.05kWh/day respectively.
Therefore, the most ideal times of the year for generating solar energy in Sendai would be during the spring and summer months when sunlight is more abundant.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 33 degrees towards south will maximize total year-round production from solar PV system as it aligns with sun path across sky ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight throughout different seasons.
There may be certain local factors such as weather conditions that could affect solar production in Sendai area. The region is known for its rainy season (June - July) which may reduce sunlight availability thus impacting overall annual output significantly.
In terms of topography, if there are tall buildings or mountains nearby that cast shadows on the panels during certain times of day or year it could also reduce efficiency.
To overcome these challenges while installing a solar system in Sendai:
1) Weather-proofing measures should be taken into consideration while designing & installing PV systems to ensure they can withstand heavy rainfall periods.
2) If possible try locating your installation where there's least likelihood of shading from nearby structures or landscape.
3) Regular maintenance & cleaning especially after rainfall ensures any dust or debris doesn't obstruct sunlight reaching panels increasing their productivity.
4) Using advanced inverters that optimize power output even under partial shading conditions can help too.
So overall while not perfect due to seasonal variations & potential weather related challenges; with careful planning & consideration one can still effectively harness Solar Energy in Sendai Japan 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 Sendai
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.2561, Longitude: 140.8611 (Sendai, 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 Sendai, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sendai, Japan (Lat/Long 38.2561, 140.8611) 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 Sendai, 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 Sendai, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 43° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 31° 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 Sendai, 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 Sendai, 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 Sendai, Japan
Sendai, the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture, is located in the northeastern part of Japan's Honshu Island. The topography around Sendai is diverse and includes coastal plains to the east, mountains to the west, and river valleys. The city itself is largely flat due to its location on a plain.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be flat regions with plenty of sun exposure. This could include cleared agricultural land or other open spaces in the coastal plains region. However, it's important to consider that these areas are also prone to tsunamis due to their proximity to the ocean.
Another potential area could be mountainous regions where there's less shade from surrounding terrain or buildings. However, installation and maintenance costs may be higher in such locations due to difficult access and steeper slopes.
In any case, a detailed site assessment considering factors such as local climate (sunlight hours), land availability and cost, grid connection possibilities and environmental impacts would need to be conducted before deciding on a specific location for large-scale solar PV installation.
It’s also worth noting that Japan has been promoting floating solar panels—also known as "floatovoltaics"—which can be installed on reservoirs or other bodies of water. This could potentially be an option for Sendai given its proximity to the coast and rivers.
Lastly, rooftop installations within urban areas like Sendai City itself can contribute significantly towards renewable energy targets without requiring additional land resources.
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 14th of February 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.
