Gimcheon, South Korea, situated at latitude 36.1278 and longitude 128.1762, offers a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone city experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak output during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy generation in Gimcheon is most efficient during summer, with an average daily output of 5.34 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 5.26 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant decrease to 3.61 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.15 kWh/day.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal changes on solar energy generation in this region. However, the relatively high output during spring and summer months can help offset the reduced production in autumn and winter.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Gimcheon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the city's latitude, seasonal sun paths, and daily solar elevation angles to ensure optimal energy capture throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Gimcheon's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:

1. Monsoon season: Gimcheon experiences a monsoon season, typically from June to September, which can bring heavy rainfall and increased cloud cover, potentially reducing solar output during this period.
2. Air pollution: Like many urban areas in South Korea, Gimcheon may experience periods of high air pollution, including fine dust particles, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these factors and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider implementing the following measures:

Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to combat dust and pollution buildup. Use high-quality, weather-resistant panels that can withstand heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Consider a slight increase in panel tilt during the rainy season to facilitate natural cleaning by rainwater. Implement a robust monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues related to weather or environmental factors.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Gimcheon can maximize their energy production potential throughout the year, despite seasonal variations and environmental challenges.

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 Gimcheon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.1278, Longitude: 128.1762 (Gimcheon, 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 Gimcheon, South Korea

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gimcheon, South Korea (Lat/Long 36.1278, 128.1762) 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 Gimcheon, 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 Gimcheon, 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	41° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	29° 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 Gimcheon, 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 Gimcheon, South Korea.

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 Gimcheon, South Korea

The topography around Gimcheon, South Korea, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat areas and hilly terrain. The city itself is situated in a basin surrounded by mountains, creating a picturesque setting. To the north and east of Gimcheon, the terrain becomes more mountainous, with several peaks and ridges forming part of the Sobaek Mountain range. These mountains, while not extremely high, provide a striking backdrop to the region. To the south and west of Gimcheon, the landscape gradually transitions into more gently rolling hills and flatter areas. This region features a mix of agricultural land, small forests, and scattered settlements. The Nakdong River, one of South Korea's major waterways, flows to the west of Gimcheon, contributing to the area's water resources and influencing the local topography.

Suitable Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Gimcheon for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flatter regions to the south and west of the city would be most suitable. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain in these directions provides ample space for the installation of solar panels without the need for extensive land modification. This reduces construction costs and environmental impact. Additionally, the open nature of these areas means there are fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on the solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Secondly, the agricultural lands in these regions could potentially be used for dual-purpose solar farms, where solar panels are installed above crops. This approach, known as agrivoltaics, allows for both energy production and continued agricultural use of the land. Lastly, the proximity to the Nakdong River could be beneficial for solar PV installations, as it may provide a water source for panel cleaning and maintenance, which is crucial for maintaining the efficiency of large-scale solar farms. It's important to note that while these areas appear suitable based on topography, a comprehensive assessment would be necessary to consider other factors such as local climate conditions, grid connectivity, and environmental impact before proceeding with any large-scale solar PV projects in the region.

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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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.