Tsuzuki Ku, Kanagawa, located in Yokohama, Japan, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this area experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which can impact the efficiency of solar installations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production in Tsuzuki Ku demonstrates a clear pattern across the four seasons. Summer and spring stand out as the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.28 kWh and 5.26 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. These seasons benefit from longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, making them ideal for solar energy generation.

In contrast, autumn and winter see a noticeable decrease in solar output. Autumn produces 3.62 kWh per day, while winter yields 3.50 kWh per day for each kW of installed capacity. This reduction is primarily due to shorter daylight hours and the sun's lower position in the sky during these seasons.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Tsuzuki Ku, Kanagawa, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 33-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring the best possible exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Tsuzuki Ku generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Rainfall: The region experiences a rainy season, typically from June to July, which could temporarily reduce solar output.
• Cloud cover: Occasional periods of overcast weather, especially during the winter months, may impact solar efficiency.

To mitigate these factors, consider implementing the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency solar panels that perform well in low-light conditions.
• Install a robust drainage system to prevent water accumulation on panels during heavy rainfall.
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris, ensuring optimal panel performance.

Overall, Tsuzuki Ku presents a favorable location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and maintenance, solar energy systems in this area can provide consistent and reliable power generation throughout the year, with peak performance during the spring and summer months.

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 Tsuzuki Ku

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5446, Longitude: 139.5789 (Tsuzuki Ku, 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 Tsuzuki Ku, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tsuzuki Ku, Japan (Lat/Long 35.5446, 139.5789) 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 Tsuzuki Ku, 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 Tsuzuki Ku, 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	41° South in Autumn	50° 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 Tsuzuki Ku, 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 Tsuzuki Ku, 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 Tsuzuki Ku, Japan

The topography around Tsuzuki Ku, Japan, is characterized by a mix of urban landscape and gentle terrain. Located in the northern part of Yokohama City, Tsuzuki Ku sits on the eastern edge of the Kanto Plain, a large lowland area that encompasses much of the Greater Tokyo region. The area is generally flat to gently rolling, with some small hills and valleys interspersed throughout the district. To the west and northwest of Tsuzuki Ku, the land gradually rises towards the Tama Hills, a series of low-lying hills that separate Tokyo and Yokohama. These hills, while not particularly high, provide some variation in the landscape and offer scenic views of the surrounding areas. To the east and southeast, the terrain slopes gently towards Tokyo Bay, with the coastal areas being predominantly flat. The urban development in and around Tsuzuki Ku has significantly altered the natural topography. Many areas have been leveled and built upon, creating a dense network of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and transportation infrastructure. Parks and green spaces are interspersed throughout the area, providing some relief from the urban landscape and preserving small pockets of more natural terrain.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account. The ideal locations would have ample open space, minimal shading from buildings or natural features, and good access to existing power infrastructure. Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Tsuzuki Ku would likely be found in the less densely populated regions to the north and northwest. The areas approaching the Tama Hills, where there is more open land and potentially fewer tall buildings to cast shadows, could be promising locations. These areas may offer larger plots of undeveloped or agricultural land that could be repurposed for solar energy production. Another potential area to consider would be the industrial zones along the coast of Tokyo Bay, to the southeast of Tsuzuki Ku. While these areas are heavily developed, they often feature large, flat rooftops of warehouses and factories that could be ideal for solar panel installation. The proximity to existing power infrastructure in these industrial areas could also be advantageous for connecting new solar installations to the grid. It's important to note, however, that the dense urban nature of the Greater Tokyo Area poses significant challenges for large-scale solar PV projects. Any potential sites would need to be carefully evaluated for their suitability, taking into account local regulations, land use restrictions, and the impact on surrounding communities. Smaller-scale or distributed solar projects may be more feasible in this highly urbanized 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!

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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.