Solar Energy Potential in Polangui, Bicol Region, Philippines

Polangui, Bicol Region, Philippines, located at 13.2914° N, 123.4854° E, offers considerable potential for solar energy generation throughout the year due to its tropical location. This region experiences consistent sunlight patterns with seasonal variations primarily defined by wet and dry periods rather than dramatic temperature shifts. Solar energy production in Polangui follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Spring delivers the highest energy output at an impressive 6.27kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 5.63kWh/day, while autumn sees a moderate decrease to 4.72kWh/day. Winter represents the lowest production period with 4.04kWh/day, though this still provides meaningful energy generation. For residents or businesses considering solar installation in Polangui, Bicol Region, the most productive months align with the spring and summer periods. These seasons offer ideal conditions for maximum solar energy harvesting, with spring particularly standing out as the peak production time.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Polangui, Bicol Region, the ideal tilt angle is 11 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to maximize year-round solar energy production based on the location's unique position relative to the sun's path throughout the year. This modest tilt angle reflects Polangui's proximity to the equator, where the sun passes more directly overhead compared to locations at higher latitudes.

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

Several significant environmental factors in Polangui can impact solar energy production:

• Typhoons and heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically June through November) can damage panels and reduce sunlight exposure
• High humidity levels may accelerate degradation of solar equipment components
• Volcanic ash from nearby Mount Mayon could occasionally accumulate on panels, reducing efficiency
• Seasonal flooding in lower-elevation areas poses risks to ground-mounted systems

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Polangui should incorporate typhoon-resistant mounting systems with reinforced frames and foundations. Regular cleaning schedules are essential to remove ash deposits and humidity-related residue. Elevating ground-mounted systems above potential flood levels provides additional protection. Using corrosion-resistant materials specifically designed for tropical environments will extend system lifespan. Despite these challenges, Polangui's consistent year-round solar radiation makes it a viable location for solar energy production, with proper system design and maintenance practices addressing the region's specific environmental conditions.

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 Polangui

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.2914, Longitude: 123.4854 (Polangui, 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 11° South in Polangui, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Polangui, Philippines (Lat/Long 13.2914, 123.4854) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 11° 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 Polangui, 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 Polangui, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 11° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° North in Summer	19° South in Autumn	28° 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 Polangui, 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 Polangui, 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 Polangui, Philippines

The landscape around Polangui in the Philippines presents a diverse topographical profile characteristic of the Bicol Region. Situated in Albay Province on the southeastern peninsula of Luzon Island, Polangui rests within a valley surrounded by notable elevated features. The most prominent landmark in the vicinity is Mount Malinao, which rises to the northeast of the town center. This dormant stratovolcano forms part of the broader volcanic chain running through the Bicol Peninsula and contributes significantly to the undulating terrain of the area. To the south and southwest of Polangui, the terrain gradually transitions into the expansive Bicol River Basin, characterized by fertile lowlands and gentle slopes. This basin represents one of the most extensive river systems in the region, with numerous tributaries flowing through and around the municipality. The northern and eastern portions of Polangui feature more pronounced elevations as they approach the foothills of Mount Malinao.

Terrain Characteristics

The immediate vicinity of Polangui town proper consists primarily of flat to gently rolling terrain, making it suitable for agricultural activities that dominate the local economy. Rice paddies and other agricultural plots occupy much of this level ground. As one moves away from the town center, the landscape becomes increasingly varied, with moderate hills interspersed with small valleys and waterways. The elevation in Polangui ranges from approximately 20 meters above sea level in the southwestern lowlands to over 200 meters in the northeastern sections closer to Mount Malinao. This gradual increase in elevation creates a series of natural terraces that have been utilized by local farmers for generations. The soil composition in the area is generally fertile, benefiting from volcanic deposits that have accumulated over centuries.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas around Polangui offer promising conditions based on their topographical features. The southwestern plains extending toward the Bicol River Basin present the most favorable terrain for extensive solar developments. These areas combine relatively flat topography with minimal natural obstacles, reducing the need for significant land modification before installation. The gently sloping lands to the west and northwest of the town center also offer potential for solar PV deployment. These areas benefit from modest inclines facing generally southward directions, which can optimize solar panel orientation without requiring complex mounting structures. Additionally, these zones typically experience less agricultural intensification compared to the prime rice-growing areas closer to water sources. Several elevated plateaus in the northern sections of the municipality, situated between 100-150 meters above sea level, could serve as excellent locations for solar farms. These higher elevation sites potentially receive less atmospheric interference and may experience reduced fog coverage compared to lower-lying areas near waterways.

Topographical Challenges

Despite these favorable zones, the topography around Polangui does present certain challenges for large-scale solar development. The eastern portions near Mount Malinao feature increasingly steep gradients that would complicate construction and maintenance of solar installations. These areas also experience more frequent cloud cover due to orographic effects as moisture-laden air from the Pacific Ocean encounters the mountain. The southern lowlands, while flat and accessible, include portions that are prone to seasonal flooding during typhoon season, particularly areas within the immediate floodplain of the Bicol River and its tributaries. Any solar development in these zones would require careful hydrological assessment and potentially elevated mounting systems to mitigate flood risks. Additionally, the central portions of the municipality feature a patchwork of densely populated settlements and high-value agricultural land, which would likely face socioeconomic barriers to conversion for energy production purposes. The most practical approach would target marginal agricultural lands and already disturbed areas that offer the topographical advantages previously described.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.