Solar PV Analysis of Taito, Japan
The location in Taito, Tokyo, Japan, situated at latitude 35.7284 and longitude 139.7929, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This northern temperate zone location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which impact the overall efficiency of solar installations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer and spring are the most productive seasons for solar energy generation in Taito. During summer, solar panels can be expected to produce an average of 5.28 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 5.26 kWh per kW. These seasons offer longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing solar panel efficiency.
Autumn and winter see a significant decrease in solar output. In autumn, the daily production drops to 3.62 kWh per kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.50 kWh per kW. This reduction is due to shorter days, lower sun angles, and potentially increased cloud cover during these seasons.
Optimal Panel Tilt
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Taito, Tokyo, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, considering the location's latitude and seasonal variations in sun position.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
While Taito's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Typhoons: Japan is prone to typhoons, which can damage solar installations. Robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels should be used.
- Urban shading: As a densely populated area, surrounding buildings may cast shadows on solar panels. Careful site assessment and potentially using micro-inverters can help mitigate this issue.
Despite these challenges, with proper planning and installation techniques, Taito can be a viable location for solar PV energy generation, particularly capitalizing on the high-output summer and spring seasons.
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 Taito
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.7284, Longitude: 139.7929 (Taito, 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 Taito, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Taito, Japan (Lat/Long 35.7284, 139.7929) 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 Taito, 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 Taito, 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 Taito, 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 Taito, 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 Taito, Japan
The area around Taito, Japan, which is located in central Tokyo, is primarily characterized by urban development and dense infrastructure. The topography of this region is generally flat, with minimal natural elevation changes. This urban landscape is dominated by buildings, streets, and other man-made structures, leaving little open space.
As you move outward from Taito, the terrain gradually becomes more varied. To the west, you'll find some gentle hills and slightly more elevated areas. To the east, the land slopes gently towards Tokyo Bay, with some low-lying areas and reclaimed land near the coast. However, within the immediate vicinity of Taito, significant natural topographical features are scarce due to extensive urban development.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, it's important to note that the dense urban environment of central Tokyo poses significant challenges. Ideal locations for solar farms typically require large, open spaces with minimal shading and good sun exposure. Given these requirements, the areas best suited for large-scale solar PV would likely be found outside the immediate Tokyo metropolitan area.
Some potential areas that might be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations include:
- The outskirts of Tokyo Prefecture, particularly to the west and northwest, where there are more open spaces and less dense urban development.
- Parts of neighboring Chiba Prefecture to the east, which has some rural and coastal areas that could potentially accommodate solar farms.
- Sections of Kanagawa Prefecture to the south, where there might be suitable land away from the most densely populated areas.
- Portions of Saitama Prefecture to the north, which has some agricultural land that could potentially be repurposed for solar energy production.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider local zoning laws, land use regulations, and environmental impacts. Additionally, given Japan's limited land resources and high population density, innovative approaches such as floating solar farms on reservoirs or integrating solar panels into existing infrastructure might be more feasible alternatives to traditional ground-mounted solar farms in this region.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 21st of August 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.
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