Paete, Calabarzon, Philippines, located in the tropics, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Seasonal Solar Production

The solar energy output at this location varies across the meteorological seasons: Spring sees the highest production at 6.21 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows with 5.20 kWh/day, while autumn and winter show slightly lower outputs at 4.38 kWh/day and 3.93 kWh/day, respectively. These figures indicate that Paete maintains a relatively steady solar energy potential throughout the year, with spring and summer being particularly favorable for solar power generation.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Paete, Calabarzon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 12 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's position throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Paete's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The Philippines experiences a monsoon season, which could temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and rain. 2. Typhoons: The country is prone to tropical cyclones, which could potentially damage solar installations if not properly secured. To mitigate these risks, it's crucial to use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rainfall. Regular maintenance and cleaning of panels, especially during the rainy season, can help maintain optimal performance. Additionally, implementing a robust monitoring system can help quickly identify and address any issues that may arise due to weather conditions or other factors affecting solar production. Overall, despite these considerations, Paete's location offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation, with consistent sunlight throughout the year and only minor seasonal variations in output.

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 Paete

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.3614, Longitude: 121.4875 (Paete, 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 12° South in Paete, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Paete, Philippines (Lat/Long 14.3614, 121.4875) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 12° 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 Paete, 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 Paete, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 12° 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	20° South in Autumn	30° South in Winter	7° 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 Paete, 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 Paete, 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 Paete, Philippines

The topography around Paete, Philippines, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines coastal lowlands, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain. Situated on the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, Paete is nestled between the water and the Sierra Madre mountain range. The town itself is relatively flat, with a gentle slope rising from the lakeshore. As you move eastward from Paete, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly, eventually transitioning into the foothills of the Sierra Madre. These mountains form a natural barrier along the eastern edge of the region, with peaks reaching heights of over 1,000 meters above sea level. To the north and south of Paete, the landscape consists of a mix of agricultural land, small forests, and scattered settlements. The terrain in these areas is generally undulating, with numerous small streams and rivers cutting through the countryside as they make their way towards Laguna de Bay.

Potential Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Paete, several factors come into play, including available land, sun exposure, and accessibility. Based on the topography of the region, there are a few areas that could be suitable for such projects: The relatively flat agricultural lands to the north and south of Paete offer potential for solar PV development. These areas typically have good sun exposure and are easily accessible. However, the use of productive farmland for solar installations would need to be carefully considered in terms of its impact on local agriculture and food security. The gently sloping hillsides to the east of Paete, before the terrain becomes too steep, could also be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas may offer good sun exposure, particularly on south-facing slopes, and could potentially utilize land that is less suitable for agriculture. Some of the higher elevation areas in the Sierra Madre foothills might provide excellent sun exposure for solar panels. However, the steeper terrain and potential challenges with access and grid connection would need to be carefully evaluated. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies, grid connection feasibility, and engagement with local communities. The unique tropical climate of the Philippines, with its mix of intense sunlight and frequent cloud cover, would also need to be factored into the planning and design of any solar installation in this 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.