Solar PV Analysis of Chiayi City, Taiwan
Chiayi City, Taiwan is a good location for generating solar energy all year round due to its tropical climate that ensures consistent sunlight throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season: in summer it's 5.49 kilowatt-hours per day, in autumn it's 4.97, in winter it's 4.41, and in spring it's 5.78.
This means that while there is some variation across seasons, even during winter (the lowest production period), the output is still considerable - making this an ideal location for solar power generation.
The best times of year to generate solar at this location would be during spring and summer when the sun hours are longer and more intense than other seasons.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 22 degrees South will maximize total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
As with any location though, there may be local factors that could affect solar production such as weather conditions or environmental issues. In Chiayi City these might include periods of heavy rainfall or typhoons which could potentially damage panels or reduce their exposure to sunlight.
To mitigate these risks and ensure greater energy production:
1) Consider installing durable panels designed to withstand harsh weather conditions.
2) Regular maintenance checks should be conducted especially after severe weather events.
3) Panels should also be placed in areas less likely to be affected by potential physical obstructions like trees or buildings blocking sunlight.
4) A tracking system could also help optimize output by allowing your panels follow the sun’s path across the sky improving overall efficiency compared with fixed tilt systems.
In conclusion: Chiayi City offers strong potential for efficient year-round generation of electricity through Solar PV due its consistent tropical sunlight with only minor seasonal variations affecting output levels; however care must taken regarding installation and maintenance to ensure this potential is fully realized.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 36 locations across Taiwan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Taiwan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Chiayi City
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.4815, Longitude: 120.4498 (Chiayi City, Taiwan), 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 22° South in Chiayi City, Taiwan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chiayi City, Taiwan (Lat/Long 23.4815, 120.4498) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Chiayi City, Taiwan
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 Chiayi City, Taiwan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8° South in Summer | 28° South in Autumn | 39° South in Winter | 16° 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 Chiayi City, Taiwan
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 Chiayi City, Taiwan.
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 Chiayi City, Taiwan
Chiayi City, Taiwan is situated in a hilly basin with mountains to the east and west. The city itself is relatively flat, but it's surrounded by undulating terrain that gradually rises into the Alishan mountain range to the east and coastal plains towards the west.
The western plains of Chiayi, leading towards coastlines, would be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to their flatter topography. These areas receive ample sunlight throughout most of the year which makes them ideal for solar energy production. Moreover, this region has an extensive network of irrigation canals which could provide opportunities for floating solar farm installations.
However, it's important to consider other factors such as land use restrictions (agricultural or urban), proximity to power grids for transmission and distribution infrastructure, environmental impact assessments and local community acceptance when planning large scale solar projects.
Taiwan solar PV Stats as a country
Taiwan ranks 17th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 7,700 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Taiwan is generating 327 Watts from solar PV per capita (Taiwan ranks 12th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Taiwan?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Taiwan. The Taiwanese government offers a number of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include tax credits, grants, low-interest loans, and feed-in tariffs. Additionally, the government has implemented a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) system which allows businesses to trade renewable energy certificates with other companies or organizations in order to receive additional financial benefits.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Taiwan? 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: Tuesday 19th of March 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
