Solar PV Analysis of Tabaco, Philippines
The location in Tabaco, Bicol Region, Philippines is quite good for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's near the equator where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies by season: about 5.60 kWh/day in summer, 4.74 kWh/day in autumn, 4.08 kWh/day in winter, and 6.25 kWh/day in spring.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location would be during spring and summer when the daily output is highest; however, even during autumn and winter the output remains reasonably high due to the tropical climate.
If you're installing fixed panel solar at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 11 degrees south will give you maximum year-round production.
As for possible obstacles that could affect your solar production - there are a few things to consider given Tabaco's tropical climate:
1) Rainy Season: The region has distinct wet (June-November) and dry seasons (December-May). During rainy months there might be less sunlight available which could reduce your energy generation slightly but not significantly as even on overcast days some power can still be generated.
2) Typhoons: This area also experiences typhoons which may damage or dislodge panels if they aren't properly secured so ensure they are well attached and robust enough to withstand such weather conditions.
3) Dust & Debris: Regular cleaning should also be part of maintenance routine as dust or debris on panels can decrease their efficiency
To overcome these challenges:
- Install durable equipment capable of withstanding heavy rains.
- Securely mount your system so it stays put during typhoons.
- Regularly clean off any dust or debris that collects on your panels.
In conclusion, Tabaco offers a great environment for solar power generation throughout much of the year but due consideration should be given to local weather conditions to ensure optimal efficiency and longevity of your solar system.
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 Tabaco
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.3568, Longitude: 123.735 (Tabaco, 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 Tabaco, Philippines
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tabaco, Philippines (Lat/Long 13.3568, 123.735) 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 Tabaco, 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 Tabaco, 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 | 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 Tabaco, 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 Tabaco, 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 Tabaco, Philippines
Tabaco, Philippines is located in the province of Albay, in the Bicol Region of Luzon. The topography around this area is diverse and includes coastal plains, valleys, hills and mountains. It's situated near the eastern coast of Albay province facing Lagonoy Gulf.
The region has a tropical climate with abundant sunlight throughout most of the year. However, it also experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon seasons which could affect solar panel efficiency.
The city itself may not be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations due to its dense population and infrastructure development. However, there are areas surrounding Tabaco that might be suitable for such projects:
1) Flatlands or Plains: Areas like Malinao and Polangui have flat terrains which could potentially accommodate large scale solar farms.
2) Unused or Underutilized Agricultural Land: If there are any underutilized agricultural lands around Tabaco City (with permission from landowners), they can be used for setting up solar panels as well.
3) Coastal Areas: Some coastal regions with ample sunlight exposure might also serve as potential sites although they would need to withstand typhoons and high winds prevalent in these areas.
4) Near Industrial Zones: Large scale industries often have unused land that can be converted into a renewable energy source like a solar farm. This will not only provide green energy but also reduce their carbon footprint.
5) Mountains/Hillsides: Though installation on hilly terrain can be challenging due to slopes and uneven ground surface but if done correctly it can capture more sunlight because of fewer obstructions (like buildings).
Before deciding on any location thorough feasibility studies including factors like annual sun exposure, weather patterns (rainfall & typhoon frequency), grid connectivity/accessibility etc., need to be conducted.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 28th of April 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.
