Solar PV Analysis of Asan, South Korea
Asan, South Korea, located at latitude 36.894 and longitude 126.8877, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy output, providing opportunities and challenges for solar power production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy generation in Asan follows a predictable pattern across the four seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.56 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring closely follows with 5.36 kWh/day, making these two seasons ideal for maximizing solar energy production.
Autumn sees a moderate decline in output, generating 3.81 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production at 2.90 kWh/day, due to shorter daylight hours and potentially overcast conditions. Despite this seasonal dip, Asan's location still allows for year-round solar energy generation, albeit with varying efficiency.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Asan, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing South. This optimal angle has been calculated considering the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and weighted by NASA's solar irradiance data, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Asan's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Seasonal monsoons: Heavy rainfall during the summer monsoon season may temporarily reduce solar efficiency.
- Air pollution: Industrialization in nearby areas might lead to air pollution, potentially affecting solar panel performance.
To mitigate these factors, consider installing high-quality, water-resistant solar panels and implementing regular cleaning schedules. Additionally, using micro-inverters or power optimizers can help maintain efficiency even when some panels are partially shaded or affected by environmental conditions.
In conclusion, Asan's location provides a good balance for year-round solar energy production, with particularly strong output during spring and summer months. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can be a reliable and efficient source of renewable energy.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 124 locations across South Korea. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in South Korea by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Asan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.894, Longitude: 126.8877 (Asan, South Korea), 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 33° South in Asan, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Asan, South Korea (Lat/Long 36.894, 126.8877) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Asan, South Korea
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 Asan, South Korea. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 52° South in Winter | 30° 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 Asan, South Korea
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 Asan, South Korea.
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 Asan, South Korea
The area around Asan, South Korea, is characterized by a diverse topography that combines coastal features with inland hills and valleys. Asan itself is situated on the western coast of South Korea, along the Yellow Sea. The immediate vicinity of the city includes a mix of flat coastal plains and gently rolling hills.
As you move inland from the coast, the terrain becomes more varied. Low-lying hills gradually rise to form a series of ridges and valleys. These hills are typically not very high, with most elevations ranging from 100 to 300 meters above sea level. The landscape is interspersed with small rivers and streams that have carved out shallow valleys over time.
To the north and east of Asan, the terrain becomes more mountainous, with higher peaks and steeper slopes. This area is part of the Charyeong Mountain Range, which runs through the central part of South Korea. However, these mountains are still relatively modest in height compared to other mountain ranges in the country.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Asan would likely be the flat coastal plains and gently sloping hillsides. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- The flat terrain of the coastal plains provides ample space for large arrays of solar panels without the need for extensive land preparation.
- Gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest can maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the day, increasing energy production efficiency.
- These areas are generally more accessible, making it easier to transport equipment and maintain the solar installations.
- The lower-lying areas are less likely to be affected by shadows from nearby mountains or tall structures, ensuring consistent sunlight exposure.
However, it's important to note that the specific suitability of any site for solar PV would require detailed on-the-ground assessments, considering factors such as local weather patterns, existing land use, proximity to power grids, and environmental impact. Additionally, as South Korea is a densely populated country with limited available land, careful planning would be necessary to balance solar energy development with other land use needs.
South Korea solar PV Stats as a country
South Korea ranks 8th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 18,161 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.80% of South Korea's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 21st in the world). Each year South Korea is generating 350 Watts from solar PV per capita (South Korea ranks 9th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in South Korea?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in South Korea. The Korean government offers a variety of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include tax credits, grants, loans, and other forms of support. Additionally, the government has implemented a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to make the installation of solar energy systems more attractive to businesses by providing them with a guaranteed return on their investment.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in South Korea? 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: Saturday 20th of July 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.
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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.
