Solar PV Analysis of Shinjuku, Japan
Shinjuku, Japan, located at latitude and longitude 35.6948 and 139.6976 respectively, is in a pretty decent spot for year-round solar energy production. Solar panels there can produce an average of around 5.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in the summer and spring, and slightly less during autumn (3.62 kWh/day) and winter (3.50 kWh/day), per each kilowatt of installed solar capacity.
This means that the best times to generate solar power in Shinjuku are during the sunnier months of spring and summer when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is more intense.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 33 degrees facing south would maximize total year-round production from the solar photovoltaic system.
There might be certain local factors that could potentially hinder solar production in Shinjuku though. For instance, Tokyo's urban environment with its tall buildings could potentially cast shadows on the panels reducing their exposure to sunlight especially if they're not placed high enough or if they're surrounded by taller structures.
Moreover, Tokyo's weather pattern which includes periods of heavy rainfall or snowfall during certain seasons may also affect panel performance as these conditions can reduce sunlight exposure too.
To overcome these obstacles when installing your solar system:
1) Make sure you position your panels where they will receive maximum sunlight throughout the day without being obstructed by nearby structures or trees.
2) Regular cleaning of your panels will ensure that dust or debris does not accumulate over time reducing their efficiency.
3) Also consider installing a system that allows for easy removal of snow accumulation on your PV modules during winter months.
4) Lastly, investing in quality equipment like durable mounting systems can help withstand harsh weather conditions ensuring longevity for your investment.
In summary: While there may be some challenges due to local environmental factors like urban shadows or weather patterns, Shinjuku is still a pretty good place for solar energy production especially during the sunnier months of spring and summer. With proper installation and maintenance, these challenges can be effectively managed to maximize your solar energy yield.
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 Shinjuku
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.6948, Longitude: 139.6976 (Shinjuku, 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 Shinjuku, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shinjuku, Japan (Lat/Long 35.6948, 139.6976) 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 Shinjuku, 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 Shinjuku, 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 Shinjuku, 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 Shinjuku, 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 Shinjuku, Japan
Shinjuku is located within Tokyo, the capital city of Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative center, housing the busiest railway station in the world (Shinjuku Station) and several skyscrapers. The topography in this area is largely urbanized with a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. There are also parks like Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.
Given its dense urban environment, Shinjuku itself may not be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to lack of open land space. However, there are opportunities for small-scale installations such as rooftop solar panels on buildings.
For large-scale solar PV projects near Shinjuku or Tokyo area, less densely populated regions with more open spaces would be more suitable. These could include areas towards Chiba Prefecture to the east or Saitama Prefecture to the north where there might be larger tracts of land available for such projects.
In addition to availability of land space, other factors that need consideration while deciding on locations for large scale solar PV include amount of sunlight received (solar irradiance), proximity to power grid connections and potential environmental impacts.
However it should also be noted that Japan has been successful in implementing 'floating' solar farms on reservoirs and ponds which can also be an option if land availability is a constraint.
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: Monday 26th 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.
