Solar PV Analysis of Sasang-gu, South Korea
Sasang-gu, Busan, South Korea, located at latitude 35.1625 and longitude 129.0112, offers a relatively favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences distinct seasonal variations in solar energy production, with some periods being more advantageous than others.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output at this location varies significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Spring and summer prove to be the most productive periods, with daily outputs of 5.33 kWh and 5.29 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity, respectively. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 3.67 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.25 kWh/day.
These figures indicate that the location is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation during the warmer months, with spring slightly outperforming summer. The substantial difference between the peak and trough seasons suggests that energy storage solutions or grid integration might be beneficial to balance out the seasonal variations.
Optimal Panel Installation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Sasang-gu, Busan, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Sasang-gu generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Seasonal monsoons: South Korea experiences a monsoon season, typically from June to September, which can lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall, potentially reducing solar output.
- Air pollution: As an urban area, Sasang-gu may experience periods of high air pollution, which can slightly decrease solar panel efficiency.
To mitigate these factors, consider implementing the following measures:
- Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to perform well in humid conditions.
- Install a robust cleaning system or schedule regular maintenance to remove dust and pollutants from panel surfaces.
- Consider microinverter or power optimizer technology to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.
In conclusion, while Sasang-gu faces some challenges, particularly during the winter months and monsoon season, its overall solar energy potential remains quite promising. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, solar PV systems in this location can provide a significant and reliable source of renewable energy throughout the year.
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 Sasang-gu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.1625, Longitude: 129.0112 (Sasang-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 32° South in Sasang-gu, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sasang-gu, South Korea (Lat/Long 35.1625, 129.0112) 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 Sasang-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 Sasang-gu, 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 Sasang-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 Sasang-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 Sasang-gu, South Korea
Sasang-gu is a district located in the southwestern part of Busan, South Korea. The topography of the area around Sasang-gu is characterized by a mix of urban development and natural features. The district itself is primarily situated on relatively flat land, which is typical for many urban areas in South Korea.
To the north and west of Sasang-gu, the terrain gradually rises into low hills and small mountains. These elevated areas are part of the larger mountain range that runs through much of South Korea. The hills are generally covered with forests and vegetation, providing a green backdrop to the urban landscape below.
To the south and east of Sasang-gu, the land slopes gently towards the coast. The Nakdong River, one of South Korea's major waterways, flows near the eastern border of the district before emptying into the Korea Strait. This riverside area is characterized by flatter terrain and some wetlands.
As for areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few options to consider. The gently sloping areas to the south and east of Sasang-gu, particularly those not immediately adjacent to the river, could potentially be suitable. These areas receive good sunlight exposure and have less dramatic elevation changes, which can simplify installation and maintenance of solar panels.
Another possibility would be utilizing the rooftops of large industrial and commercial buildings within Sasang-gu itself. As an urban district, it likely has numerous flat-roofed structures that could accommodate solar panels without requiring additional land use.
The hillsides to the north and west, while receiving good sunlight, may be less ideal for large-scale solar installations due to their steeper slopes and forested nature. Developing these areas for solar farms would likely involve significant land clearing and grading, which could have environmental impacts and increase project costs.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site assessments, environmental impact studies, and compliance with local regulations before proceeding. The suitability of specific locations would depend on factors such as exact sun exposure, local climate conditions, grid connectivity, and land use policies.
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: Thursday 26th of September 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.
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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.
