Seto, Aichi, Japan, located at 35.2256°N, 137.0996°E in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which impact the overall efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an average daily output of 5.23 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.11 kWh/day. These seasons provide optimal conditions for solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight.

Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in solar output, averaging 3.76 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production, with 2.93 kWh/day, primarily due to shorter days and the sun's lower position in the sky.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Seto, Aichi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, balancing the seasonal variations in the sun's path across the sky.

Environmental Considerations

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

• Rainfall: Seto experiences significant rainfall, particularly during the summer monsoon season. Regular cleaning of solar panels may be necessary to maintain optimal efficiency.
• Snow: Winter snowfall, though not extreme, can temporarily reduce solar output. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps shed snow more easily.

To mitigate these factors, consider using self-cleaning panel coatings and ensuring proper drainage systems are in place. Additionally, regular maintenance checks, especially after heavy rainfall or snowfall, can help maintain peak performance.

Overall, while Seto may not offer ideal year-round conditions for solar energy production, it still presents a viable location for solar PV installations. The strong performance in spring and summer can offset the reduced output during autumn and winter, making it a worthwhile investment for those looking to harness renewable energy in this region of Japan.

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 Seto

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2256, Longitude: 137.0996 (Seto, 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 32° South in Seto, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Seto, Japan (Lat/Long 35.2256, 137.0996) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Seto, 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 Seto, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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	41° South in Autumn	50° 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 Seto, 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 Seto, 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 Seto, Japan

The topography around Seto, Japan, located at latitude 35.2256 and longitude 137.0996, is characterized by a mix of hilly terrain and flat valleys. This area, situated in Aichi Prefecture, is part of the broader Nobi Plain region but features more varied elevation compared to its surroundings. Seto itself is nestled among low mountains and hills, with elevations ranging from about 50 to 300 meters above sea level. The landscape is dotted with numerous small valleys and streams that have carved their way through the softer clay deposits the area is known for. These geological features have played a significant role in Seto's famous pottery industry, providing both the raw materials and the sheltered locations for kilns. To the west and northwest of Seto, the terrain gradually flattens out towards the larger Nobi Plain, which extends to the coast of Ise Bay. This transition zone between the hilly areas and the plain creates a diverse landscape with gentle slopes and broader valleys.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would offer relatively flat terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from surrounding hills or mountains. The flatter areas to the west and northwest of Seto, where the hills begin to give way to the Nobi Plain, present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These locations offer larger contiguous areas of land with gentler slopes, which are easier and more cost-effective to develop for solar installations. The gradual incline of these areas can actually be beneficial, as a slight tilt towards the south can optimize solar panel orientation without requiring extensive land modification. Some of the broader valleys within the hilly regions around Seto could also be suitable for solar PV, particularly those oriented in an east-west direction. These valleys often have sufficient flat or gently sloping land and can receive good sun exposure throughout the day, especially if they are wide enough to avoid significant shading from nearby hills. However, it's important to note that the immediate vicinity of Seto itself, with its more pronounced hilly terrain, may present challenges for large-scale solar development due to the increased costs associated with land preparation and the potential for shading from surrounding elevations. Any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to carefully balance the availability of suitable land with other factors such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, local land use regulations, and environmental considerations. The areas transitioning from hilly to flatter terrain offer the best compromise between these various factors, making them the most promising for potential solar energy development near Seto.

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.