Solar PV Analysis of San Rafael, Philippines
San Rafael, Central Luzon, Philippines, is a great location for generating solar energy all year round due to its tropical climate. The sunlight there is consistent throughout most of the year and the seasons are more characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant changes in temperature or sunlight.
The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels at this location tends to stay fairly stable across different seasons. On average, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce about 5.33 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 5.37 kWh/day in autumn, 5.26 kWh/day in winter and notably higher at 6.90 kWh/day during spring.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 14 degrees towards South would maximize total annual production from the solar photovoltaic system.
Despite these positive aspects, there may be some local factors that could affect solar production significantly at this location:
1) Monsoon Rains: In the Philippines' wet season which typically runs from June to November, heavy monsoon rains might reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their output.
Preventive Measures: While you cannot control weather conditions like rainfall or cloud cover; regular maintenance including cleaning panels after heavy rainfalls will help ensure they continue operating optimally.
2) Typhoons: The country also experiences typhoons which may cause physical damage to your installation.
Preventive Measures: To protect against possible damage caused by typhoons or strong winds; it's important to ensure proper installation with sturdy mounts and frames designed for high wind loads.
3) Dust & Dirt Accumulation: Dust particles carried by wind can accumulate on panel surfaces causing a decrease in power generation efficiency.
Preventive Measures: Regular cleaning especially during dry season when dust accumulation might be higher ensures maximum absorption of sunlight thus maintaining efficiency levels.
In summary, while San Rafael, Central Luzon, Philippines is generally an excellent location for solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight exposure; attention must be given to local weather conditions and regular maintenance should be carried out to ensure maximum energy production.
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 San Rafael
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 15.0421, Longitude: 120.9269 (San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, Philippines
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in San Rafael, Philippines (Lat/Long 15.0421, 120.9269) 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 San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, 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 | 31° 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 San Rafael, 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 San Rafael, Philippines.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 San Rafael, Philippines
San Rafael, Philippines is located in the province of Bulacan. The topography of this region is generally flat with some hilly and mountainous areas. It's part of the Luzon central plain which is characterized by a flat terrain that gradually slopes upward towards the east where it meets the Sierra Madre Mountain range.
As for solar PV (Photovoltaic) installations, large-scale projects require open and relatively flat terrains to maximize sunlight exposure. Therefore, considering San Rafael’s topography, the flatter regions would be more suitable for such projects.
However, other factors should also be considered when choosing a location for large-scale solar PV like local climate conditions (amount of sun hours), land availability and use, proximity to power grids or demand centers etc.
In terms of specific nearby areas that might be suitable - you'd want to look at expansive agricultural lands or unused lands around San Rafael or within Bulacan province itself which are not shaded by mountains/hills and have good road access for maintenance purposes.
Lastly, remember that while physical suitability is important so too are regulatory issues – local laws regarding land use and renewable energy infrastructure will play a significant role in determining where such a project can actually take place.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 10th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
