Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines, located in the tropics, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation year-round. This location benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows relatively stable performance across seasons, with a notable peak in spring: • Summer: 5.27 kWh/day • Autumn: 5.19 kWh/day • Winter: 5.07 kWh/day • Spring: 6.94 kWh/day These figures represent the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity. The consistency in output during summer, autumn, and winter is particularly advantageous, ensuring reliable energy production throughout most of the year.

Optimal Generation Period

Spring stands out as the most productive season for solar energy generation in Malabon, Metro Manila, with a significant increase in daily output compared to other seasons. This peak likely coincides with clearer skies and optimal sun angles during this period.

Panel Installation Angle

For fixed panel installations in Malabon, Metro Manila, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 14 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Malabon's tropical location is generally favorable for solar energy, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Typhoons: The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones, which can potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, robust mounting systems and high-quality, weather-resistant panels should be used. 2. Heavy Rainfall: The region experiences a wet season, which could temporarily reduce solar efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help maintain optimal performance during these periods. 3. Urban Air Pollution: As part of the greater Manila area, Malabon may experience urban air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Using self-cleaning panels or implementing regular cleaning schedules can help combat this issue. By addressing these factors through proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar energy systems in Malabon can achieve high levels of efficiency and reliability, making it an ideal location for solar PV generation throughout the year.

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 Malabon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.6761, Longitude: 120.9342 (Malabon, 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 Malabon, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Malabon, Philippines (Lat/Long 14.6761, 120.9342) 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 Malabon, 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 Malabon, 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
2° 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 Malabon, 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 Malabon, 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 Malabon, Philippines

Malabon, a city in Metro Manila, Philippines, is situated in a low-lying area characterized by its flat, coastal terrain. The topography of Malabon and its surrounding regions is predominantly level, with very little variation in elevation. This area is part of the larger Manila Bay watershed, which includes several interconnected river systems and estuaries. The landscape around Malabon is heavily urbanized, with densely populated neighborhoods and industrial zones. Despite its urban nature, the city is prone to flooding due to its low elevation and proximity to bodies of water. The Tullahan River runs through Malabon, further influencing its topography and contributing to the area's susceptibility to inundation during heavy rains or high tides.

Surrounding Areas

To the north and east of Malabon, the terrain gradually rises as it extends towards the provinces of Bulacan and Rizal. These areas feature slightly more varied topography, with gentle slopes and occasional hills. The southern and western parts of Malabon continue to be flat, merging with other low-lying cities of Metro Manila that border Manila Bay.

Potential for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, it's important to look beyond the immediate vicinity of Malabon. The city's dense urban development and flood-prone nature make it less than ideal for such projects. However, there are potential locations in the surrounding regions that could be more suitable: The northern parts of Metro Manila and the southern areas of Bulacan province offer more open spaces and slightly higher elevations. These areas, while still relatively flat, are less prone to flooding and have more available land that could potentially be used for solar farms. Further east, towards Rizal province, there are areas with gently rolling terrain that could be suitable for solar PV installations. These locations benefit from being at a higher elevation, reducing the risk of flooding while still providing the necessary flat or gently sloping land required for efficient solar panel placement. It's worth noting that the entire region experiences abundant sunshine throughout the year, making it generally favorable for solar energy production. However, the scarcity of large, unoccupied land parcels in the highly urbanized Metro Manila area means that significant solar PV projects would likely need to be situated in the outlying provinces or on the rooftops of large industrial or commercial buildings. When planning such installations, careful consideration must be given to factors such as land use regulations, environmental impact, and the capacity of the local power grid to accommodate large-scale solar energy input. Additionally, the tropical climate of the Philippines, with its high humidity and occasional typhoons, would require robust design and maintenance plans for any large-scale solar PV projects in the region.

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.

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.