Solar PV Analysis of Gwanak-gu, South Korea
The location at Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea is pretty good for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. However, some times of the year are better than others. The highest amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels is in the summer and spring when you can get around 5.53 and 5.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day respectively. In autumn, this drops slightly to around 3.73 kWh per day, while in winter it's a bit lower at about 2.95 kWh per day.
To maximize your total yearly production from solar PV at this location, you'd want to tilt your panels towards the south at an angle of about 34 degrees if they are fixed installations.
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce with your solar panels here though - like weather or environmental conditions that block sunlight such as heavy cloud cover or pollution from nearby industries causing smoggy skies which could obstruct sunlight reaching your panels effectively.
You might also have issues during monsoon season where heavy rainfall could impact panel efficiency due to reduced sunlight exposure and potential damage caused by high winds or falling debris.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels would be required especially after storms or periods of heavy air pollution.
2) Installing protective measures like robust panel framing that withstands strong winds would also be beneficial.
3) Additionally, using advanced technology modules designed for low light performance may help increase output during cloudy days or seasons with less daylight hours.
Remember though - even with these potential challenges taken into account - Gwanak-gu still seems like a pretty solid place for harnessing solar power!
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 Gwanak-gu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.4625, Longitude: 126.9438 (Gwanak-gu, 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 34° South in Gwanak-gu, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gwanak-gu, South Korea (Lat/Long 37.4625, 126.9438) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Gwanak-gu, 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 Gwanak-gu, South Korea. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° 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 Gwanak-gu, 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 Gwanak-gu, 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 Gwanak-gu, South Korea
Gwanak-gu is a district in southern Seoul, South Korea. It is located at the foot of Gwanak Mountain, so the topography varies from flat regions to hilly and mountainous areas. The area has both residential and commercial developments.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, it would be ideal to find flat or gently sloping areas with maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day. Given that Gwanak-gu is quite urbanized, rooftops of large buildings such as warehouses or factories could potentially serve as suitable sites for solar panel installation.
However, if larger scale ground-mounted solar farms are considered, then more rural or less developed nearby areas might be more suitable due to availability of land space and less shadowing issues from tall buildings. Such locations need to have good road access for installation and maintenance works though.
The final suitability would depend on a detailed site assessment including factors like local climate (amount of sun hours), soil type (for ground-mounted systems), potential shading objects etc.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 23rd 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.
