Solar PV Analysis of Jinju, South Korea
Jinju, South Korea, located at latitude 35.2048 and longitude 128.1291, offers a moderately favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, this location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output at Jinju varies significantly across seasons. Spring and summer are the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.53 kWh and 5.43 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn sees a decrease to 3.79 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.36 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that Jinju has good potential for solar energy generation, particularly from late spring through early autumn. The substantial difference between summer and winter outputs suggests that supplementary energy sources might be beneficial during the colder months.
Optimal Panel Installation
For fixed panel installations in Jinju, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 32 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal solar elevation changes, ensuring optimal exposure throughout the year.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Jinju's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Monsoon season: Jinju experiences a summer monsoon, which can lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall, potentially reducing solar output during this period.
- Air pollution: Like many urban areas in South Korea, Jinju may experience periods of high air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install high-quality, weather-resistant panels capable of performing well in humid conditions.
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and pollutants from panel surfaces.
- Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
Despite these challenges, Jinju's location remains suitable for solar PV installations, with the potential for significant energy generation, especially during the spring and summer months.
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 Jinju
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.2048, Longitude: 128.1291 (Jinju, 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 32° South in Jinju, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jinju, South Korea (Lat/Long 35.2048, 128.1291) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Jinju, 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 Jinju, South Korea. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 41° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 28° 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 Jinju, 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 Jinju, 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 Jinju, South Korea
The topography around Jinju, South Korea, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes both flat areas and hilly terrain. Jinju is situated in the southern part of South Korea, in the Gyeongsang region, and is nestled within a basin surrounded by mountains.
The city itself is built along the banks of the Nam River, which flows through the center of Jinju. This river valley provides some flat and gently sloping areas within the city and its immediate surroundings. As you move away from the river, the terrain becomes more varied and hilly.
To the north and east of Jinju, the land gradually rises into the foothills of the Jirisan mountain range. These areas feature rolling hills and steeper slopes, with some peaks reaching heights of several hundred meters. The southern and western parts of the region around Jinju tend to be less mountainous, with more gradual hills and some flatter areas.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider. Ideal locations for solar farms typically include:
- Flat or gently sloping land
- Areas with minimal shading from nearby hills or mountains
- Regions with good sun exposure throughout the day
- Land that is not prime agricultural territory or ecologically sensitive
Given these criteria, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV near Jinju would likely be found in the flatter regions to the south and southwest of the city. These areas tend to have more open spaces with less dramatic elevation changes, which could provide better conditions for solar panel installation and maintenance.
Some potential locations might include:
- The broader river valleys extending south from Jinju
- Gently sloping hillsides facing south or southwest
- Former agricultural lands that are no longer in use
- Areas near existing infrastructure, such as power lines or substations, to facilitate grid connection
It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site surveys, environmental impact assessments, and approval from local authorities. The specific suitability of any given location would depend on a variety of factors beyond just topography, including local regulations, land ownership, and proximity to the power grid.
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 25th 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.
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.
