Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia, located at latitude 5.4093 and longitude 100.3613, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Solar Energy Production

The solar energy potential in Butterworth is relatively stable across all meteorological seasons. Spring sees the highest output at 5.95 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Winter follows closely with 5.75 kWh/day, while summer and autumn produce 5.44 kWh/day and 5.19 kWh/day, respectively. This consistency makes Butterworth an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Butterworth, Penang, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 5 degrees South. This slight tilt helps optimize energy capture throughout the year, accounting for the sun's position changes and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Factors

While Butterworth's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically October to March) may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency.
• High humidity levels can lead to increased dust accumulation on panels, potentially decreasing their performance.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental challenges and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider implementing the following measures:

1. Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to combat dust accumulation.
2. Use anti-reflective coatings on panels to improve performance during overcast conditions.
3. Ensure proper drainage systems are in place to prevent water accumulation on panels during heavy rainfall.
4. Utilize high-quality, weather-resistant materials for all components to withstand the tropical climate.

By addressing these factors, solar installations in Butterworth can take full advantage of the location's consistent sunlight and maximize energy production throughout the year.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 77 locations across Malaysia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Malaysia by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Butterworth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 5.4093, Longitude: 100.3613 (Butterworth, Malaysia), 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:

Average 5.44kWh/day in Summer.

Average 5.19kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 5.75kWh/day in Winter.

Average 5.95kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 5° South in Butterworth, Malaysia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Butterworth, Malaysia (Lat/Long 5.4093, 100.3613) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 5° 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.

At Latitude: 5.4093, Longitude: 100.3613, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 5° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Butterworth, Malaysia

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 Butterworth, Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Butterworth, Malaysia

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 Butterworth, Malaysia.

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 Butterworth, Malaysia

The topography around Butterworth, Malaysia is characterized by a mix of flat coastal plains and gently rolling hills. Butterworth itself is situated on the mainland side of Penang State, facing the island of Penang across the Penang Strait. The immediate area around the city is predominantly flat, with elevations generally below 50 meters above sea level.

As you move inland from Butterworth, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating. To the east and northeast, the landscape transitions into low hills and valleys, with some areas reaching elevations of 100 to 200 meters. These hills are part of the larger central mountain range that runs through Peninsular Malaysia.

The coastal areas near Butterworth, including parts of Seberang Perai (formerly known as Province Wellesley), consist of alluvial plains formed by sediment deposits from rivers flowing into the Strait of Malacca. These flat, open areas are often used for agriculture, particularly rice cultivation.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flat, open spaces of the coastal plains. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development:

1. Ample sunlight exposure due to the lack of tall obstacles or significant terrain variations
2. Easy access for construction and maintenance
3. Proximity to existing infrastructure and population centers
4. Lower risk of shading from nearby hills or mountains

Specific locations that might be well-suited for solar PV projects include:

• The agricultural lands in Seberang Perai Utara and Seberang Perai Tengah districts
• Former mining areas or unused industrial zones near the coast
• Reclaimed land along the shoreline, provided it's not designated for other development

It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, other factors such as land ownership, environmental considerations, and local regulations would need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar PV installation.

Malaysia solar PV Stats as a country

Malaysia ranks 33rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,787 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.40% of Malaysia's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 32nd in the world). Each year Malaysia is generating 55 Watts from solar PV per capita (Malaysia ranks 51st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Malaysia?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Malaysia. The Malaysian government offers a range of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy projects. These include the Renewable Energy Fund (REF), which provides grants and loans to support the development of renewable energy projects; the Green Technology Financing Scheme (GTFS), which provides financing for green technology investments; and the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) scheme, which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources. Additionally, businesses may be eligible for capital allowances on their investments in solar energy systems.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Malaysia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.

©Copyright Aaron Robinson and profileSOLAR.com 2019-2025

Home
Solar: United States
Solar: Worldwide
Solar Panel Tilt Angle
Login

Privacy
Disclaimer
Impressum
Contact Us