Solar PV Analysis of Shimorenjaku, Japan
The location at Shimorenjaku, Tokyo, Japan is pretty decent for generating energy through solar PV panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons: in the summer and spring, you'll get around 5.28kWh/day and 5.26kWh/day respectively; while in autumn it drops slightly to 3.62kWh/day and during winter it's about 3.50 kWh/day.
This means that you'll be getting more electricity from your panels during the warmer months - so spring and summer are ideal times for solar energy generation at this location. On average across all four seasons, though, you're still getting a reasonable output.
To maximize your total year-round production from your solar PV system at this place, make sure that fixed panel installations are tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing South.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could potentially get in the way of optimal solar production at this location - there aren't any significant ones mentioned here specifically relating to Shimorenjaku, Tokyo, Japan. However, general issues which may affect any location include things like heavy snowfall (which can cover panels), dense fog or smog (which can block sunlight), or even local wildlife (like birds) leaving droppings on the panels which might reduce their effectiveness.
Preventative measures against these potential issues could include installing mechanisms to clear off snow automatically; regularly cleaning panels if fog/smog/droppings become a problem; choosing high-quality durable panels resistant to harsh weather conditions; and considering protective measures against possible damage by local wildlife if necessary.
Remember though that these preventative steps would only be necessary if those specific issues were significantly affecting your panel performance – otherwise they might not be worth the extra cost or effort involved.
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 Shimorenjaku
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6871, Longitude: 139.5372 (Shimorenjaku, 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 Shimorenjaku, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shimorenjaku, Japan (Lat/Long 35.6871, 139.5372) 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 Shimorenjaku, 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 Shimorenjaku, 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 Shimorenjaku, 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 Shimorenjaku, 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 Shimorenjaku, Japan
Shimorenjaku, Japan is located in the western part of Tokyo. The topography of this area is largely urban with a mix of residential and commercial buildings. It's relatively flat with few natural features such as mountains or large bodies of water.
When considering areas for large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as sunlight exposure, land availability and proximity to power grids are important. Given Shimorenjaku's dense urban environment, it may not be the most suitable location for large-scale solar farms.
However, there could be potential in implementing rooftop solar panels on the numerous buildings within the city. This would allow for efficient use of space and direct supply to consumers without significant transmission losses.
For larger scale projects, less densely populated regions nearby with more open space might be better suited. Areas towards Chiba Prefecture or Ibaraki Prefecture which have more rural landscapes could potentially accommodate larger solar projects.
It should also be noted that Japan has a feed-in tariff system that makes it financially attractive to install renewable energy systems like solar PVs even in urban areas like Shimorenjaku.
Regardless, any decision about installing large-scale solar PV would require detailed feasibility studies including assessments on local climate conditions (sunlight hours), land ownership issues and grid connectivity among others.
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: Sunday 2nd of June 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.
