Taal, Calabarzon, Philippines, located at 13.874° N, 120.9268° E, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than temperature variations.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy potential in Taal remains relatively stable across seasons, with a notable peak during spring. Here's a breakdown of the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity:

• Spring: 6.85 kWh/day
• Summer: 5.28 kWh/day
• Autumn: 5.18 kWh/day
• Winter: 5.07 kWh/day

Spring emerges as the most productive season, likely due to clearer skies and optimal sun angles. The other seasons maintain a consistent output, with only slight variations, making Taal an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Taal, Calabarzon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 13 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Taal's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Taal presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

Typhoons: The Philippines is prone to tropical cyclones, which can potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to use sturdy mounting systems and panels designed to withstand high winds. Regular maintenance and inspections are also essential to ensure the system's integrity.

Volcanic Activity: Taal is near an active volcano, which can lead to ash fall during eruptions. This could temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Installing panels at a steeper angle and implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help minimize the impact of ash accumulation.

High Humidity: The tropical climate brings high humidity, which can potentially lead to corrosion of solar equipment. Using corrosion-resistant materials and ensuring proper sealing of electrical components can help protect the system.

Despite these challenges, with proper planning and preventive measures, Taal remains an excellent location for solar energy production, offering consistent and substantial output 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 Taal

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.874, Longitude: 120.9268 (Taal, 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 13° South in Taal, Philippines

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Taal, Philippines (Lat/Long 13.874, 120.9268) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Taal, 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 Taal, Philippines. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° 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	29° 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 Taal, 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 Taal, 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 Taal, Philippines

The area around Taal, Philippines, is characterized by a diverse and dramatic topography. Located in the province of Batangas on the island of Luzon, this region is dominated by the presence of Taal Volcano and its surrounding caldera. The volcano itself sits on an island within Taal Lake, creating a unique landscape often referred to as a "lake within a volcano within a lake." The terrain around Taal is a mix of gently rolling hills, steep volcanic slopes, and flat lowlands. The volcano's main crater rises approximately 311 meters (1,020 feet) above sea level, while the surrounding caldera rim reaches heights of up to 400 meters (1,312 feet) in some areas. The lake's surface is only about 5 meters (16 feet) above sea level, creating a stark contrast between the water and the surrounding elevated terrain. Beyond the immediate vicinity of the volcano and lake, the landscape transitions into a series of undulating hills and valleys. These areas are largely covered in lush tropical vegetation, with some sections cleared for agriculture. The region also features numerous rivers and streams that flow from the higher elevations down to the coastal areas.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Taal, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would have ample sunlight exposure, relatively flat terrain, and be away from areas prone to volcanic activity or flooding. The lowland areas to the east and southeast of Taal Lake present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These regions offer more expansive, flatter terrain that would be easier to develop and maintain. Additionally, they are further from the immediate volcanic hazard zone, reducing the risk of damage from potential eruptions. The gently sloping hills to the north and northeast of Taal could also be suitable for solar installations. While these areas may require some terraforming, they generally receive good sun exposure and are less prone to flooding compared to lower-lying areas. It's important to note that any large-scale solar development in the region would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, local land use regulations, and the potential for natural disasters. Proper site assessments and environmental studies would be crucial to ensure the long-term viability and safety of any solar PV projects in this geologically active area.

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

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.