Solar PV Analysis of Butuan, Philippines
Butuan, Caraga, Philippines is situated in the Tropics where sunlight is available consistently throughout most of the year. This makes it a good place for generating energy using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, which convert sunlight into electricity.
Throughout the year, you can expect to generate different amounts of energy depending on the season. In Summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate about 6.03 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. In Autumn and Spring, you'll get around 5.10 kWh and 5.52 kWh per day respectively for each kW installed, and in Winter it drops slightly to about 4.24 kWh per day.
The best times to generate solar power at this location would be during Summer when sunlight is at its peak followed by Spring and Autumn when sunlight is still quite strong but not as intense as in Summer.
If you're installing solar panels here, it's recommended that they are tilted at an angle of seven degrees facing South for maximum year-round production from your PV system.
However there are some factors that could potentially affect your ability to produce solar energy in Butuan such as weather conditions like heavy rainfall or cloud cover during wet seasons which could reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching your panels; local environmental factors like dust or air pollution which might dirty your panels reducing their efficiency; or physical obstructions like tall buildings or trees blocking direct sun exposure.
To overcome these issues:
- Regular cleaning maintenance would help keep your panels free from dust or dirt.
- Installing a tracking system may help increase exposure to direct sun by adjusting panel angles throughout the day.
- If possible try choosing a site with minimal obstructions and shading for installation.
Overall though considering its location within tropics with consistent sunlight availability across most parts of the year makes Butuan an ideal place for generating electricity through Solar PV technology barring few manageable challenges related to weather & local environment.
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 268 locations across Philippines. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Philippines by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Butuan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 8.9492, Longitude: 125.5436 (Butuan, Philippines), 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 7° South in Butuan, Philippines
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Butuan, Philippines (Lat/Long 8.9492, 125.5436) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Butuan, Philippines
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 Butuan, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° North in Summer | 14° South in Autumn | 24° South in Winter | 3° 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 Butuan, Philippines
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 Butuan, Philippines.
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 Butuan, Philippines
Butuan, Philippines is located in the northern part of Mindanao island. The topography of this area is largely flat, with some hills and mountains in the surrounding areas. The region also features several rivers and coastal plains due to its proximity to the Butuan Bay.
The flatlands around Butuan would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations as they offer plenty of sunlight exposure and ease of construction. Specifically, areas like Las Nieves or Buenavista which are not densely populated could be potential sites for such projects.
However, several factors need to be considered before setting up a large-scale solar PV project such as land availability, local climate (amount of sunshine hours), infrastructure access (roads, power grid connection), environmental impact assessments etc.
Philippines solar PV Stats as a country
Philippines ranks 40th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,370 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Philippines is generating 13 Watts from solar PV per capita (Philippines ranks 71st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Philippines?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the Philippines. These include:
1. The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) program, which provides a guaranteed rate of return on investments in renewable energy projects;
2. Tax credits and exemptions from certain taxes;
3. Net metering programs that allow businesses to sell excess electricity back to the grid;
4. Grants and loans from government agencies such as the Department of Energy and the Philippine Solar Power Alliance;
5. Technical assistance from organizations like USAID’s Clean Energy Program; and
6. Access to financing through banks, venture capital firms, or other sources of private capital.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Philippines? 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: Friday 29th of December 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.
