Solar PV Analysis of Cabanatuan City, Philippines
Located within the tropical region of the Philippines, Cabanatuan City is a highly suitable place for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Throughout the year, each kW of installed solar capacity generates an average daily output of 5.33kWh in Summer, 5.37kWh in Autumn, 5.26kWh in Winter and peaks at 6.90kWh during Spring.
Being situated near the equator allows for steady and consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year. This results in relatively stable energy production across all seasons compared to regions with more distinct seasonal variations.
However, it's also important to consider local environmental factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location. Cabanatuan City experiences a tropical climate characterized by wet and dry seasons rather than traditional winter or summer temperatures.
During heavy rainfalls or strong winds associated with typhoons - common occurrences in this part of Asia - solar power generation can be negatively impacted due to reduced sunlight penetration and potential physical damage to panels.
To mitigate these risks during installation, it's recommended that panels are securely fastened using durable mounting systems designed to withstand high wind loads typical for this region. Additionally, regular maintenance checks should be performed post-installation to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your system.
Lastly, when installing fixed panel systems here it is ideal to tilt them towards south at an angle of approximately 15 degrees from horizontal plane which aligns best with sun’s path across sky ensuring maximum sunlight absorption throughout day.
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 Cabanatuan City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 15.4903, Longitude: 120.9682 (Cabanatuan City, 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 15° South in Cabanatuan City, Philippines
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cabanatuan City, Philippines (Lat/Long 15.4903, 120.9682) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Cabanatuan City, 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 Cabanatuan City, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 22° South in Autumn | 31° South in Winter | 9° 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 Cabanatuan City, 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 Cabanatuan City, 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 Cabanatuan City, Philippines
The topography around Cabanatuan City, Philippines is mostly flat with some rolling hills. Areas near the city that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV include open fields and flat rooftops in urban areas. The area has plenty of sunshine throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy production. Additionally, there are several industrial parks nearby where large-scale solar installations could be built with minimal disruption to existing infrastructure.
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: Monday 23rd of October 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.
