Solar PV Analysis of Sungai Petani, Malaysia
Sungai Petani, Kedah, Malaysia is a great place for solar energy production year-round. This is because it's located in the Tropics, where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season but remains high all year. It's about 5.44 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer, 5.19 kWh/day in Autumn, 5.75 kWh/day in Winter and highest at 5.95 kWh/day in Spring.
To get the best results from your solar panels at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 5 degrees towards the South. This will help to maximize their exposure to sunlight and increase their overall energy production for the entire year.
However, there could be some factors that might affect solar energy production at this location such as heavy rainfall during monsoon seasons which could reduce sun exposure or cause damage to panels if not properly protected; or local buildings or trees causing shading on your panels reducing their effectiveness.
To overcome these issues and ensure greater energy production:
1) Install durable weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rain.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels to remove any dirt or debris which could block sunlight.
3) Consider installing your solar system on a part of your property where it will get maximum sun exposure without being blocked by nearby buildings or trees.
4) If possible, adjust panel angles seasonally to account for changes in sun position throughout the year.
Overall though, Sungai Petani is an excellent location for generating renewable energy via solar power due its consistent tropical sunlight availability throughout most parts of 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 Sungai Petani
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 5.6599, Longitude: 100.4878 (Sungai Petani, 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:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 5° South in Sungai Petani, Malaysia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sungai Petani, Malaysia (Lat/Long 5.6599, 100.4878) 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.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Sungai Petani, 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 Sungai Petani, Malaysia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° North in Summer | 11° South in Autumn | 21° South in Winter | 0° 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 Sungai Petani, 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 Sungai Petani, Malaysia.
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 Sungai Petani, Malaysia
Sungai Petani, Malaysia is located in the state of Kedah and is mostly flat with some minor hills. The region has a tropical climate with high humidity and abundant rainfall throughout the year. The area is largely urbanized but also contains agricultural lands, particularly paddy fields.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are ideal as they receive unobstructed sunlight. Therefore, underutilized or vacant lands in or around Sungai Petani could be suitable for such projects. Also, rooftops of large buildings (like factories or warehouses) can be used for installing solar panels.
In terms of geographical suitability, the coastal areas to the west of Sungai Petani may also be considered for solar farms as they are relatively flat and less populated than urban centers.
However, it's important to note that while topography plays a significant role in determining the suitability of an area for solar power generation; factors such as local weather patterns (cloud cover), availability of infrastructure (roads, electricity grid), legal regulations and social acceptance should also be taken into account before making any decisions about where to locate a large-scale solar PV installation.
Please consult with local authorities or a professional renewable energy consultant who can provide detailed feasibility studies based on these various factors for more accurate information.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 29th 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.
