Solar PV Analysis of Osan, South Korea
Osan, South Korea, situated at latitude 37.1579 and longitude 127.0662, presents a moderately favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Temperate Zone location experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar output, which directly impact the efficiency of photovoltaic systems.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy production in Osan peaks during the summer months, with an impressive 5.36 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 5.17 kWh/day/kW. These seasons offer the most substantial solar yields, making them ideal for maximizing energy production.
Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in output, dropping to 3.63 kWh/day/kW. Winter presents the greatest challenge, with production falling to 2.98 kWh/day/kW. Despite this seasonal dip, Osan still maintains a respectable year-round solar potential.
Optimal Panel Configuration
For fixed panel installations in Osan, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 33 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Osan's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Osan's location is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Monsoon season: Osan experiences a summer monsoon, which can lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall, potentially reducing solar output during this period.
- Air pollution: Being in proximity to industrial areas and experiencing occasional yellow dust storms from China, air quality can sometimes impact solar panel efficiency.
Mitigation Strategies
To address these challenges and enhance solar production, consider the following preventative measures:
Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to combat dust and pollution buildup. Use high-efficiency panels that perform well in diffuse light conditions to maintain output during cloudy periods. Consider a hybrid system that combines solar with other renewable sources to ensure consistent energy production year-round.
Overall, while Osan faces some seasonal and environmental challenges, its location still offers a viable opportunity for solar energy production with proper planning and mitigation strategies in place.
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 Osan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.1579, Longitude: 127.0662 (Osan, 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 Osan, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Osan, South Korea (Lat/Long 37.1579, 127.0662) 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 Osan, 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 Osan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Osan, 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 Osan, 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 Osan, South Korea
The topography around Osan, South Korea, is characterized by a mix of flat lowlands and gently rolling hills. The city itself is situated in a relatively flat area, which is part of the larger Gyeonggi Plain that extends across much of the northwestern part of South Korea. This plain is bordered by low mountains and hills to the east and west.
To the east of Osan, the terrain gradually rises into the foothills of the Gwangju Mountains, which form part of the larger Taebaek Mountain Range. These hills become more pronounced as you move further east, eventually transitioning into steeper, more rugged terrain. To the west, the land remains relatively flat as it approaches the Yellow Sea coast, with some areas of slight elevation.
The immediate vicinity of Osan features a combination of urban development, agricultural land, and scattered patches of forest. Small streams and rivers crisscross the area, contributing to the overall gentle nature of the landscape.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Osan, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would generally be:
1. Flat or gently sloping agricultural lands to the west and southwest of Osan. These areas offer expansive, open spaces with minimal shading from natural features or buildings. The relatively flat terrain would simplify installation and reduce costs associated with land preparation.
2. Abandoned or underutilized industrial sites in the broader region. These brownfield areas often provide large, unobstructed spaces ideal for solar installations, and their development for renewable energy purposes can help revitalize previously degraded land.
3. The lower slopes of hills to the east, particularly those facing south or southwest. While more challenging to develop than flat land, these areas can still be suitable for solar PV, especially if they receive abundant sunlight throughout the day.
It's important to note that the selection of sites for large-scale solar PV would also need to consider factors beyond topography, such as proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, local land use regulations, and environmental impact assessments. Additionally, given the high population density and intensive land use in the region around Osan, finding sufficiently large, contiguous areas for major solar installations may be challenging, potentially necessitating the consideration of multiple smaller sites or innovative approaches like floating solar on nearby reservoirs or lakes.
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: Wednesday 2nd of October 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.
