Solar PV Analysis of Utsunomiya, Japan
Utsunomiya, Tochigi, Japan, located at latitude 36.5722 and longitude 139.8753, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak performance during spring and summer months.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output at this location varies significantly across seasons. Spring yields the highest daily average at 5.21 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, closely followed by summer at 5.11 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.52 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.15 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Utsunomiya is most suitable for solar energy generation during the warmer months, particularly from March through August. During this period, longer daylight hours and generally clearer skies contribute to enhanced solar panel efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Utsunomiya, Tochigi, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 34 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated to optimize exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Utsunomiya's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Rainfall: Utsunomiya experiences significant rainfall, particularly during summer and autumn. Regular cleaning of solar panels may be necessary to maintain optimal efficiency.
- Snow: Winter snowfall can temporarily reduce solar panel output. Installing panels at the recommended angle helps with snow shedding, but occasional manual clearing may be required.
To mitigate these factors, consider using self-cleaning solar panels or implementing a regular maintenance schedule. Additionally, ensuring proper drainage around the installation area can prevent water accumulation and potential damage to equipment.
In conclusion, while Utsunomiya may not offer ideal year-round conditions for solar energy production, it still presents a viable opportunity for sustainable energy generation, especially during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide significant energy output throughout the year.
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 Utsunomiya
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.5722, Longitude: 139.8753 (Utsunomiya, 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 34° South in Utsunomiya, Japan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Utsunomiya, Japan (Lat/Long 36.5722, 139.8753) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Utsunomiya, 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 Utsunomiya, Japan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 30° 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 Utsunomiya, 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 Utsunomiya, 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 Utsunomiya, Japan
Utsunomiya, located in the Tochigi Prefecture of Japan, is situated in a relatively flat area known as the Utsunomiya Plain. This plain is part of the larger Kanto Plain, which encompasses much of the region around Tokyo. The city itself sits at an elevation of about 100-150 meters above sea level.
The topography around Utsunomiya is characterized by a mix of gently rolling hills and flat expanses. To the north and west of the city, the land gradually rises towards the foothills of the Nikko mountain range. These mountains, while not immediately adjacent to Utsunomiya, are visible on clear days and provide a scenic backdrop to the area.
To the east and south of Utsunomiya, the terrain remains relatively flat, with occasional low hills and small river valleys. The Kinu River, a major waterway in the region, flows to the east of the city, creating a broad river plain.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would likely be the flat, open spaces to the east and south of Utsunomiya. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- The flat terrain makes construction and maintenance of solar panels easier and more cost-effective.
- There are fewer natural obstacles like mountains or dense forests that could cast shadows on the panels.
- The open spaces allow for larger installations without the need for extensive land clearing.
- The proximity to the city means easier connection to existing power grids and infrastructure.
However, it's important to note that much of this flat land is currently used for agriculture, particularly rice cultivation. Any large-scale solar projects would need to balance energy production with the preservation of valuable farmland.
The hilly areas to the north and west, while less ideal for expansive solar farms, could potentially accommodate smaller installations on south-facing slopes. These locations might be suitable for more distributed solar energy systems that could complement larger installations in the flatter regions.
Overall, the diverse topography around Utsunomiya offers various options for solar PV development, with the flatter areas to the east and south presenting the most promising locations for large-scale projects.
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: Thursday 22nd 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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