Solar PV Analysis of Lae, Papua New Guinea
Situated in the tropics, Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea offers excellent conditions for solar power generation due to its consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year. The average energy yield per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity varies by season: 5.44 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in Summer, 4.88 kWh/day in Autumn, 4.18 kWh/day in Winter and 5.38 kWh/day in Spring.
Despite seasonal variations, these figures indicate a robust potential for solar energy production across all seasons with the highest output during Summer and lowest during Winter. However, even during Winter months - typically associated with lesser sunlight - the city still demonstrates a respectable yield of over 4 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity.
The geographical location of Lae at latitude -6.7403 and longitude 147.0044 suggests that fixed panel installations should be tilted at an angle of approximately 5 degrees towards North for optimal performance.
While it's important to note that weather conditions such as cloud cover or heavy rainfall could potentially affect energy production temporarily due to reduced sunlight exposure on panels; however these occurrences are not significantly common enough to pose major disruptions given the overall sunny climate prevalent here.
In terms of topography or environmental factors impacting solar production, Lae does not present any major challenges that would significantly impede installation or efficiency levels on a large scale basis.
For optimal results when installing solar panels, precautions should be taken like ensuring clearances from obstructions like trees or buildings that could cast shadows on panels thereby reducing their efficiency levels; regular maintenance checks and cleanings can also help maintain peak performance levels by preventing dust accumulation which can hinder light absorption capabilities on panel surfaces.
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 9 locations across Papua New Guinea. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Papua New Guinea by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Lae
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -6.7403, Longitude: 147.0044 (Lae, Papua New Guinea), 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° North in Lae, Papua New Guinea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lae, Papua New Guinea (Lat/Long -6.7403, 147.0044) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 5° North 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 Lae, Papua New Guinea
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 Lae, Papua New Guinea. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° South in Summer | 13° North in Autumn | 23° North 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 Lae, Papua New Guinea
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 Lae, Papua New Guinea.
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 Lae, Papua New Guinea
The topography of the area around Lae, Papua New Guinea is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Areas that are most suited to large scale solar PV in this region would be any areas that are flat and open with minimal obstructions such as trees or buildings. The nearby villages of Malahang, Salamaua, and Nadzab may be good locations for large scale solar PV installations due to their proximity to Lae and lack of obstructions.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 22nd of November 2023
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.
