Solar PV Analysis of Umeda, Japan
Umeda, Ōsaka, Japan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a fairly good place for generating energy through solar panels all year round. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels depends on how much sunlight they receive. In Umeda, Ōsaka, you can expect to generate around 5.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.23 kWh/day in spring from each kilowatt of installed solar power. In autumn and winter, the numbers drop a bit to around 3.89 kWh/day and 3.11 kWh/day respectively.
This means that spring and summer are the best times to generate solar power at this location because there's more sunlight during these seasons compared to autumn and winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels in Umeda throughout the year, you should tilt them at an angle of 32 degrees towards South direction as it maximizes total annual production from your solar panel system.
However, local factors such as weather conditions or physical landscape could potentially affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels here. For example, if there's frequent heavy cloud cover or pollution that blocks sunlight reaching your panels or if tall buildings or trees cast shadows over them.
In order to mitigate these potential issues:
1) Choose a site for installation where there won't be any obstructions blocking sunlight.
2) Regularly maintain and clean your panels so that dust or debris doesn't reduce their efficiency.
3) If possible install tracking systems on your panels so they always face towards the sun which maximizes their exposure to light.
While Umeda has its challenges due its urban environment with potential shadowing issues by high-rise buildings nearby; with careful planning during installation process these challenges can be effectively minimized ensuring good performance of your Solar PV system throughout year-round.
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 Umeda
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.6947, Longitude: 135.5 (Umeda, 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 Umeda, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Umeda, Japan (Lat/Long 34.6947, 135.5) 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 Umeda, 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 Umeda, 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 | 49° 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 Umeda, 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 Umeda, 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 Umeda, Japan
Umeda, located in the Kita-ward of Osaka, Japan, is primarily urbanized and highly developed. It is one of the principal commercial centers of Osaka. The topography is mostly flat due to extensive urban development and land reclamation projects.
As such, it may be challenging to find large open spaces suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations within Umeda itself. However, rooftops of commercial buildings or parking lots could potentially be utilized for smaller scale solar PV systems.
For larger scale solar PV installations, one would likely need to look outside the city center. Rural or semi-rural areas with less development and more open space would be more suitable. The surrounding prefectures like Hyogo and Nara have more rural areas which might be suitable for such installations.
In addition to geographical considerations, factors such as local weather conditions (amount of sunlight), regulatory policies related to renewable energy installation in Japan should also be considered while selecting a site for large-scale solar PV installation.
Please note that a detailed feasibility study including site inspection would still be necessary before making any definitive decisions about specific locations.
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: Tuesday 20th 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.
