Solar PV Analysis of Gongju, South Korea
Gongju, South Korea is a fairly good location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt of installed solar varies with the seasons. During summer and spring, it produces more electricity at around 5.36 and 5.18 kilowatt-hours per day respectively, compared to autumn and winter where it generates around 3.70 and 3.01 kilowatt-hours per day.
This means that the most ideal times to generate solar energy in Gongju are during the spring and summer months when there is more sunlight available for conversion into electricity by the PV system.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 33 degrees facing south would maximize total annual production from solar PV as this orientation captures the maximum amount of sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there may be some local factors that could potentially impede solar production in Gongju such as weather conditions like cloud cover or pollution which may reduce sunlight exposure on some days; also physical obstructions like buildings or trees could cast shadows on panels reducing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these potential issues, one should consider placing panels in areas with minimal shade throughout most parts of the day/year; regular cleaning can help keep dust or snow off panels to ensure they operate efficiently; additionally use high-quality equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions will also help maintain performance levels.
In summary, while there are challenges associated with installing and maintaining a productive solar PV system in Gongju due to various environmental factors - careful planning during installation phase combined with ongoing maintenance can help overcome these obstacles ensuring optimal output from your investment.
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 Gongju
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.4777, Longitude: 127.1311 (Gongju, 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 Gongju, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gongju, South Korea (Lat/Long 36.4777, 127.1311) 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 Gongju, 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 Gongju, 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 Gongju, 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 Gongju, 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 Gongju, South Korea
Gongju is located in the central region of South Korea and it's characterized by a mixture of flat plains, rolling hills, and mountainous regions. The city itself is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains.
The topography around Gongju includes areas like Songnisan National Park to the east which features rugged mountain terrain, while to the west you can find more flatland areas such as those near Geum River.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flatter terrains are generally more suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Therefore, plains or gently sloping lands would be ideal for this purpose. Areas close to Geum River could potentially be good candidates due to their relatively flat topography.
However, factors other than just topography should also be considered when planning for large-scale solar PV installations. These include local climate (amount of sunshine), land use restrictions, proximity to power grids for transmission efficiency among others.
It's worth noting that South Korea has been making significant efforts towards expanding its renewable energy capacity including solar power. For instance, Saemangeum area not too far from Gongju has been designated as a renewable energy hub with plans for massive solar power plants.
As always before any large scale project an environmental impact assessment should also be conducted considering local ecology and potential impacts on biodiversity.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 11th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
