Hagonoy, Central Luzon, Philippines, situated in the tropics, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This area experiences consistent sunlight and is characterized more by wet and dry seasons rather than traditional meteorological seasons.

The solar energy potential in Hagonoy is relatively stable across the year, with some variations between seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, yielding an impressive 6.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer, autumn, and winter maintain steady outputs of 5.30, 5.17, and 5.02 kWh/day respectively, per kW of installed solar.

Optimal Panel Positioning

To maximize year-round solar production in Hagonoy, Central Luzon, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 14 degrees facing South. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Hagonoy's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Typhoons: The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones, which can potentially damage solar installations.
2. Heavy rainfall: The wet season may temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and precipitation.

To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Hagonoy should incorporate robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, using high-quality, water-resistant solar panels and ensuring proper drainage around the installation can help maintain efficiency during periods of heavy rainfall.

Despite these challenges, Hagonoy's consistent sunlight throughout the year makes it an ideal location for solar energy production. With proper planning and installation techniques, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity.

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 257 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 Hagonoy

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.8327, Longitude: 120.7327 (Hagonoy, 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 14° South in Hagonoy, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hagonoy, Philippines (Lat/Long 14.8327, 120.7327) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 14° 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 Hagonoy, 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 Hagonoy, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 14° 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	21° South in Autumn	30° South in Winter	8° 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 Hagonoy, 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 Hagonoy, 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 Hagonoy, Philippines

The topography around Hagonoy, Philippines, is characterized by its low-lying, flat terrain. Located in the province of Bulacan, this coastal municipality sits on the northern shores of Manila Bay. The area is primarily composed of alluvial plains, formed by sediment deposits from nearby rivers over thousands of years. These plains are intersected by numerous waterways, including rivers, creeks, and man-made canals, which crisscross the landscape. Much of Hagonoy and its surrounding areas are only slightly above sea level, making them prone to flooding during heavy rains and storm surges. The terrain is predominantly used for agriculture, with vast stretches of rice paddies and fish ponds dominating the landscape. Mangrove forests once lined the coastline but have been significantly reduced due to human activities and land conversion.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the region offers advantages for solar farm development, as it reduces the need for extensive land preparation and allows for easier installation and maintenance of solar panels. The areas to the north and northeast of Hagonoy, moving slightly inland, present the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV projects. These areas, while still relatively flat, are at a slightly higher elevation, which reduces the risk of flooding that could damage solar infrastructure. Additionally, these inland areas typically have fewer wetlands and water bodies, providing more contiguous land for solar array placement. Agricultural lands that are less productive or have been abandoned due to salinization from seawater intrusion could be repurposed for solar energy production. This approach would not only generate clean energy but also provide an alternative economic use for land that has become less suitable for farming. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV development in the region would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly on local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. Additionally, the proximity to the coast means that salt spray and potential typhoon damage are factors that would need to be addressed in the design and maintenance of solar installations. In conclusion, while the immediate vicinity of Hagonoy presents challenges for large-scale solar PV due to its low-lying nature and flood risk, the slightly elevated areas to the north and northeast offer more suitable conditions for such developments, balancing the need for flat terrain with reduced environmental risks.

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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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

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