Solar PV Analysis of Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
The location at Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea, is reasonably good for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. The amount of electricity you can expect to produce from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar changes with the seasons. In simple terms, a kW is a measure of how much electricity your solar panels can produce.
In summer and spring, you can expect to generate around 5.36 and 5.17 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day respectively for each kW of installed solar. This means that these are the best times of the year to generate solar power in this location because the weather conditions allow for more sunlight exposure.
In autumn and winter, however, the output drops slightly to about 3.63 kWh/day and 2.98 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and potentially cloudier weather.
If you're installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 34 degrees towards south will maximize their total yearly production from solar PV systems as it aligns better with the sun's path across the sky in this region.
As far as environmental or other local factors that could impede solar production go: South Korea does experience monsoon season which usually brings heavy rainfall and cloudy skies between June and July which might reduce sunlight exposure hence reducing energy generation during those months; also smog or air pollution could possibly decrease efficiency by blocking some sunlight reaching your panels but only if it's particularly bad on certain days.
To help ensure greater energy production despite these factors: consider installing a tracking system that adjusts your panels' orientation throughout the day following sun’s path; regular cleaning especially after rainfalls or dusty days would keep them free from dust or debris accumulation; also having an efficient storage system would allow storing excess power produced during peak times for use during less productive periods such as night time or cloudy days.
Remember, these are just guidelines. The actual amount of electricity your solar panels produce can be influenced by a range of factors including the quality of your panels and inverter, shading or obstructions around your property and temperature levels as extreme heat can also reduce panel efficiency.
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 Seongbuk-gu
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.5814, Longitude: 127.0227 (Seongbuk-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 Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Seongbuk-gu, South Korea (Lat/Long 37.5814, 127.0227) 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 Seongbuk-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 Seongbuk-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 | 31° 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 Seongbuk-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 Seongbuk-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 Seongbuk-gu, South Korea
Seongbuk-gu is located in the northern part of Seoul, South Korea. The area is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrain with several mountainous areas such as Bukhansan and Dobongsan to the north. It's surrounded by urban development, including residential areas, commercial districts, and parks.
In terms of solar PV potential, it would depend on various factors like land availability, sun exposure (solar irradiance), local regulations regarding land use for energy production etc. In general:
1) Flat open spaces are ideal for large-scale solar PV installations due to ease of installation and maintenance. However, given Seongbuk-gu's largely urban setting this might not be feasible.
2) Rooftops can also be a good option especially in densely populated areas like Seongbuk-gu. Buildings with large flat rooftops that receive ample sunlight throughout the day are great candidates.
3) Hilly or mountainous regions can present challenges due to uneven terrain but they could still be utilized if designed correctly. Solar panels can often be installed on slopes facing towards the sun (typically southward in Northern Hemisphere).
4) Brownfield sites or unused industrial lands could also potentially host large-scale solar farms if available.
A detailed study would need to be conducted considering these factors along with economic feasibility before deciding on suitable locations for large-scale solar PV installations around Seongbuk-gu.
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: Thursday 25th 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.
