San Chaung, Yangon, Myanmar, situated at latitude 17.0956 and longitude 96.1035, presents a favorable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical setting offers consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily distinguished by wet and dry periods rather than temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in San Chaung varies across the meteorological seasons, with spring being the most productive period. For each kilowatt of installed solar capacity, the expected daily electricity output is: • Spring: 6.51 kWh/day • Winter: 5.81 kWh/day • Autumn: 5.25 kWh/day • Summer: 4.72 kWh/day This data indicates that solar energy generation is viable year-round, with peak production occurring during the spring months. The higher output in spring and winter suggests these seasons offer optimal conditions for solar energy harvesting in San Chaung.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in San Chaung, Yangon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 17 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and takes into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and daily solar elevation angles throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While San Chaung's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: Myanmar experiences a monsoon season, typically from May to October, which can lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall. This may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency during these months. 2. Dust and pollution: Urban areas like San Chaung can experience air pollution and dust accumulation, which may affect solar panel performance if not addressed. To mitigate these challenges, consider implementing the following measures: • Regular cleaning: Establish a routine cleaning schedule for solar panels to remove dust and debris, especially during the dry season. • Weather-resistant equipment: Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and components designed to withstand tropical conditions. • Tilt adjustment: While the 17-degree tilt is optimal for year-round production, slight adjustments may be made seasonally to maximize output during the monsoon period if desired. By addressing these factors, solar energy systems in San Chaung can maintain high efficiency and productivity throughout the year, taking full advantage of the location's abundant sunlight and favorable conditions for renewable energy generation.

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 21 locations across Myanmar. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Myanmar by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in San Chaung

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 17.0956, Longitude: 96.1035 (San Chaung, Myanmar), 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 17° South in San Chaung, Myanmar

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Chaung, Myanmar (Lat/Long 17.0956, 96.1035) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 San Chaung, Myanmar

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 San Chaung, Myanmar. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
1° South in Summer	23° South in Autumn	33° South in Winter	11° 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 San Chaung, Myanmar

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 San Chaung, Myanmar.

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 San Chaung, Myanmar

San Chaung, located in Myanmar, is situated in a region characterized by a mix of urban and suburban landscapes. The area is predominantly flat, with some gentle undulations in the terrain. The city of Yangon, of which San Chaung is a part, is located in the Irrawaddy Delta region, known for its low-lying plains and numerous waterways. The immediate surroundings of San Chaung consist of densely populated urban areas with a network of streets, buildings, and small green spaces. As you move further from the city center, the landscape gradually transitions to more open areas with scattered settlements and agricultural land. To the north and east of San Chaung, the terrain begins to rise slightly, forming low hills and elevated areas. These higher grounds offer some variation in the otherwise flat topography of the region. To the south and west, the land remains relatively flat as it extends towards the Yangon River and the Bay of Bengal.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to look beyond the immediate urban confines of San Chaung. The most promising locations for such projects would likely be found in the less densely populated areas to the north and east of the city. These areas offer several advantages for solar PV development: 1. More open space: The suburban and rural regions provide larger tracts of land that could accommodate extensive solar panel arrays. 2. Slightly elevated terrain: The gentle hills and higher grounds in these areas may receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day, potentially increasing the efficiency of solar panels. 3. Reduced shading: With fewer tall buildings and less urban infrastructure, these locations are less likely to suffer from shading issues that can impact solar energy production. 4. Proximity to existing infrastructure: Being relatively close to the city, these areas may have easier access to existing power grids and transportation networks, facilitating the distribution of generated electricity. 5. Lower land costs: Compared to the urban center, land in these outlying areas may be more affordable, making large-scale solar projects more economically viable. It's worth noting that while these areas show promise for solar PV development, any specific project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and consideration of local regulations and land use policies. Additionally, the seasonal variations in Myanmar's climate, including the monsoon season, would need to be factored into the planning and design of any large-scale solar installation in the region.

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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.