Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 34.972 and longitude 136.6182 offers varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Yokkaichi shows significant fluctuations across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an average daily output of 5.36 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 5.05 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 3.68 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.14 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and summer makes these seasons particularly advantageous for solar power generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximizing year-round solar energy production in Yokkaichi, Mie, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the capture of solar radiation throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Yokkaichi offers good potential for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a significant rainy season, typically from June to July, which could temporarily reduce solar output. Additionally, occasional typhoons in late summer and early autumn may pose risks to solar installations.

To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall.
• Install adequate drainage systems to prevent water accumulation on panels.
• Implement a regular cleaning and maintenance schedule to remove dust and debris, especially after stormy weather.

By addressing these factors, solar installations in Yokkaichi can maintain optimal performance and longevity, capitalizing on the location's overall favorable conditions for solar energy generation.

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 Yokkaichi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.972, Longitude: 136.6182 (Yokkaichi, 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 Yokkaichi, Japan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yokkaichi, Japan (Lat/Long 34.972, 136.6182) 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 Yokkaichi, 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 Yokkaichi, 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	41° 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 Yokkaichi, 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 Yokkaichi, 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 Yokkaichi, Japan

Yokkaichi, located in Mie Prefecture, Japan, is situated in a diverse topographical region that offers a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain. The city itself is primarily built on a flat coastal plain along the western shore of Ise Bay, part of the larger Nobi Plain. This low-lying area gradually rises as one moves inland, transitioning into gently rolling hills and eventually more rugged, forested mountains. To the east of Yokkaichi, the terrain is dominated by the waters of Ise Bay, which provides the city with its important port facilities. The coastline is largely urbanized and industrial, with much of the natural shoreline having been altered for human use. Moving west from the city center, the landscape begins to undulate, with small hills and valleys becoming more prominent. This area is a mix of residential neighborhoods, agricultural land, and patches of forest. As one continues westward, the terrain becomes increasingly mountainous, with the foothills of the Suzuka Mountain Range rising up.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Yokkaichi that might be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would offer ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and minimal conflict with existing land uses or environmental concerns. The coastal plain areas to the south and southwest of Yokkaichi city center could potentially be suitable for solar PV development. These areas offer flat terrain and good sun exposure, although competition with agricultural and industrial land uses would need to be carefully managed. Some of the gently rolling hills to the west and northwest of the city might also be candidates for solar installations. While not as flat as the coastal plains, these areas could still accommodate large-scale solar farms if carefully designed. The slightly elevated terrain might even provide advantages in terms of reduced shading from surrounding features. It's important to note that the more mountainous regions further west, while offering some south-facing slopes that could be good for solar exposure, would likely be too steep and forested for practical large-scale solar development. Additionally, these areas often have higher environmental and scenic value, making them less suitable for industrial-scale energy projects. Any large-scale solar development would need to be balanced with the region's other land use priorities, including agriculture, urban development, and conservation. Careful planning and community engagement would be essential to identify the most appropriate sites for such projects in the Yokkaichi area.

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.