Solar Energy Potential in Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan

Toyohashi, Aichi, Japan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. With its geographical coordinates at 34.7533° N latitude and 137.383° E longitude, this city experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons. The solar energy output in Toyohashi follows a predictable pattern, with peak production occurring during the summer months. In summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.71 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring closely follows with 5.32 kWh/day, making it another excellent season for solar energy production. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in solar output, with panels producing 3.92 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, has the lowest generation at 3.30 kWh/day per kW installed. However, it's worth noting that even during the winter months, Toyohashi still maintains a respectable level of solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Toyohashi, Aichi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated taking into account the city's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and daily solar elevation angles, weighted by the potential daily PV output based on NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental Considerations

While Toyohashi generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Typhoons: Japan's Pacific coast, including Toyohashi, Aichi, can experience typhoons, particularly during late summer and early autumn. Strong winds and heavy rainfall associated with these events could potentially damage solar installations. 2. Snow: Although not as severe as in northern Japan, Toyohashi can experience occasional snowfall in winter, which might temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to implement robust mounting systems that can withstand high winds and to use high-quality, durable panels. Regular maintenance, including snow removal in winter, can help ensure optimal performance. Additionally, installing panels at the recommended 32-degree tilt can aid in snow shedding and self-cleaning during rainfall. Despite these considerations, Toyohashi's overall climate and solar potential make it a suitable location for solar PV installations, with the possibility of generating significant clean energy throughout the year.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Toyohashi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.7533, Longitude: 137.383 (Toyohashi, 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 Toyohashi, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Toyohashi, Japan (Lat/Long 34.7533, 137.383) 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 Toyohashi, 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 Toyohashi, 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	40° 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 Toyohashi, 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 Toyohashi, 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 Toyohashi, Japan

Toyohashi, located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is situated in a diverse topographical region. The city itself is primarily built on a coastal plain, which extends eastward from the city center towards the Pacific Ocean. This flat, low-lying area is part of the larger Mikawa Plain, which provides ample space for urban development and agriculture.

To the north and west of Toyohashi, the landscape gradually transitions into rolling hills and small mountains. These elevated areas are part of the Mikawa Highlands, which form a natural boundary between the coastal plain and the more mountainous interior of central Japan. The hills are generally gentle in slope and covered with a mix of forests and agricultural land.

South of the city, the terrain becomes more varied, with a combination of low hills, small valleys, and coastal features. The Atsumi Peninsula, which juts out into the Pacific Ocean, is characterized by a mix of flat areas and gentle hills, with some rocky coastal sections.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Toyohashi would likely be found in the following locations:

1. The coastal plain: The flat, open areas to the east and southeast of Toyohashi offer significant potential for solar farms. These locations benefit from minimal shading and easy access to infrastructure.
2. Gently sloping hillsides: Some of the less steep hillsides to the north and west of the city could be suitable for solar installations, particularly south-facing slopes that receive more direct sunlight throughout the day.
3. The Atsumi Peninsula: This area south of Toyohashi has several flat and gently sloping sections that could accommodate large solar arrays, with the added benefit of coastal breezes that may help keep the panels cool and operating efficiently.
4. Former agricultural lands: Any abandoned or underutilized agricultural areas in the surrounding region could be repurposed for solar energy production, provided they have suitable exposure to sunlight.

When considering locations for solar PV installations, it's important to factor in not only the topography but also local land-use regulations, grid connectivity, and environmental considerations. Areas prone to flooding or landslides should be avoided, as should locations with significant ecological value or cultural importance.

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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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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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.