Solar Energy Potential in Candon, Philippines

Candon, Philippines, located in the Ilocos Sur province, offers promising conditions for solar energy generation. Situated in the tropics where sunlight remains relatively consistent throughout the year, this location experiences weather patterns defined more by wet and dry seasons rather than traditional temperature-based seasons. The solar electricity output at this location shows interesting seasonal variations. During spring, solar panels produce their highest output at an impressive 7.24 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. This makes spring the optimal time for solar energy generation in Candon. Autumn follows with 5.73 kWh/day, while summer produces 5.63 kWh/day per installed kilowatt. Winter shows the lowest but still substantial output at 5.41 kWh/day.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximizing year-round solar production in Candon, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 16-degree tilt facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to capture the optimal amount of solar radiation throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Candon's specific geographical position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar energy production in Candon:

• The region experiences a monsoon season, typically from May to October, which can reduce solar efficiency due to increased cloud cover and rainfall.
• Typhoons occasionally affect the area, posing risks to solar installations through high winds and flying debris.
• Dust accumulation during the dry season can gradually reduce panel efficiency if not addressed.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures should be considered:

• Install robust mounting systems designed to withstand typhoon-force winds (up to Category 4).
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during the dry season, to remove dust and debris.
• Consider micro-inverter or power optimizer systems that minimize production losses when some panels are shaded or damaged.
• Install lightning protection systems and proper grounding, especially important during the monsoon season.
• Use corrosion-resistant materials for all components to withstand the humid tropical climate.

Despite these challenges, Candon's year-round solar potential remains strong, with even the lowest-producing season delivering over 5.4 kWh daily per installed kilowatt. With proper installation and maintenance, solar energy systems can be highly productive throughout the year at this location.

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 Candon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 17.1964, Longitude: 120.4441 (Candon, 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 16° South in Candon, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Candon, Philippines (Lat/Long 17.1964, 120.4441) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° 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 Candon, 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 Candon, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° 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	10° 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 Candon, 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 Candon, Philippines.

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 Candon, Philippines

The topography surrounding Candon in the Philippines presents a diverse landscape characterized by coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain. Situated on the western coast of Luzon Island facing the South China Sea, Candon is nestled within Ilocos Sur province. The city itself sits on relatively flat coastal lowlands, but the terrain quickly rises toward the east, where the magnificent Cordillera Central mountain range dominates the horizon.

Coastal Features

The western portion of Candon transitions into sandy beaches and coastal plains. This flat terrain extends several kilometers inland before beginning to undulate into gentle hills. The coastline offers unobstructed western exposure, with minimal shadowing effects from geographical features. The coastal plains have minimal elevation changes, typically ranging from sea level to about 50 meters above sea level within the immediate vicinity of the city.

Inland Topography

Moving eastward from the coast, the landscape gradually transforms into rolling hills with increasingly steep gradients. These foothills serve as a transition zone between the coastal plains and the more dramatic mountain terrain beyond. The elevation in these areas typically ranges from 50 to 300 meters above sea level, with moderately sloped terrain featuring numerous small valleys and ridgelines. Further east, the landscape rises dramatically into the Cordillera Central mountain range, which forms the dominant topographical feature of northern Luzon. These mountains reach elevations exceeding 2,000 meters in some areas and create a significant natural barrier. The mountain slopes are often steep and covered with dense vegetation, particularly in areas less disturbed by human activity.

River Systems

Several river systems originate in the highlands east of Candon and flow westward toward the South China Sea. These waterways have carved valleys through the landscape, creating natural corridors of flatter terrain amidst the otherwise rolling topography. The river deltas near the coast form some of the most fertile agricultural lands in the region, with rich alluvial soil deposits.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the most suitable areas around Candon would be the gently sloping western foothills and portions of the coastal plains that are not prime agricultural land or subject to flooding. These areas offer several advantages for solar development: The western foothills, located approximately 3-10 kilometers east of the coastline, provide slightly elevated terrain with natural drainage and minimal flood risk. These areas typically have slopes between 2-8%, which is acceptable for solar installation while minimizing extensive grading requirements. The moderate elevation also reduces exposure to coastal hazards while maintaining excellent western exposure for afternoon sunlight capture. Certain portions of the coastal plains, particularly those not actively used for high-value agriculture, represent another viable option. These areas offer extremely flat terrain that minimizes installation costs and engineering challenges. However, careful site selection is necessary to avoid flood-prone zones, especially near river deltas and low-lying areas. The transitional zones between agricultural areas and the steeper mountain slopes often contain marginal lands that are less productive for farming but potentially valuable for solar development. These areas frequently have southwesterly or westerly aspects that maximize exposure to the sun's path. Areas to avoid include the steeper eastern mountain slopes, where installation would be technically challenging and environmentally disruptive, and the prime agricultural lands of the river valleys, where food production represents the highest and best use of the land. Additionally, areas within approximately one kilometer of the coastline face increased risk from storm surges and coastal erosion, making them less ideal for major infrastructure investments.

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!

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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.

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