Solar Energy Potential in Douliu, Yunlin, Taiwan

Douliu, Yunlin, Taiwan, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a promising location for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal electricity output reveals a relatively consistent performance across all four seasons, with some natural variation. Spring stands out as the most productive season with an impressive 5.79 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely behind at 5.51 kWh/day, while autumn sees a slight decrease to 4.93 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, produces the least energy at 4.35 kWh/day per kW installed, but still maintains respectable output.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Douliu, Yunlin, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 22 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated tilt optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the changing seasons, balancing the higher summer sun path with the lower winter sun position.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors in Douliu could potentially impact solar energy production:

• Typhoon exposure: Taiwan's location makes it vulnerable to typhoons, which can physically damage solar installations if not properly secured. Using typhoon-resistant mounting systems with reinforced frames and wind-certified hardware is essential.
• High humidity levels: The subtropical climate brings high humidity, which can accelerate degradation of electrical components. Installations should use marine-grade materials and include proper ventilation behind panels.
• Seasonal monsoon rains: Heavy precipitation, particularly during the summer monsoon season, can temporarily reduce solar output. Installing panels at the recommended 22-degree tilt helps with natural cleaning during rainfall.

Maximizing Production Potential

Despite these considerations, Douliu's location offers excellent solar potential with relatively balanced seasonal output. The minimal difference between the highest and lowest producing seasons (only 1.44 kWh/day per kW) indicates reliable year-round energy generation potential. To maximize production, regular maintenance including cleaning to remove dust accumulation is recommended, particularly before and after the dry season. Additionally, considering microinverters or power optimizers can help manage any partial shading issues that might occur in certain installations, ensuring each panel performs at its best regardless of conditions affecting other panels in the array.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

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 Douliu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.7125, Longitude: 120.545 (Douliu, 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 Douliu, Taiwan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Douliu, Taiwan (Lat/Long 23.7125, 120.545) 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 Douliu, 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 Douliu, 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	29° South in Autumn	39° South in Winter	17° 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 Douliu, 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 Douliu, Taiwan.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Douliu, Taiwan

Douliu, located in central Taiwan's Yunlin County, is nestled in a region characterized by a diverse topographical landscape. The city itself sits on relatively flat terrain within the western coastal plain of Taiwan, at an elevation of approximately 50-60 meters above sea level. This area represents the transition zone between Taiwan's mountainous eastern regions and the flat western coastline facing the Taiwan Strait. To the east of Douliu, the landscape gradually rises into the foothills of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range. These foothills begin approximately 10-15 kilometers east of the city center, creating a rolling, undulating terrain that steadily increases in elevation. As one moves further eastward, these foothills develop into more pronounced mountains, eventually reaching elevations of over 2,000 meters in the Central Mountain Range proper.

Surrounding Landscape Features

The western portions of the Douliu region consist primarily of flat agricultural plains. These plains are part of the broader Chianan Plain, one of Taiwan's most important agricultural regions. This flat terrain extends westward toward the coast, approximately 20 kilometers away. The area is crisscrossed by numerous waterways, including irrigation canals and natural streams that flow from the mountains toward the Taiwan Strait. To the north and south of Douliu, the landscape remains predominantly flat to gently rolling, with occasional low hills interrupting the otherwise level terrain. These areas are heavily cultivated, with rice paddies and other agricultural fields dominating the landscape.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

The western plains surrounding Douliu present the most promising areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development. These flat agricultural lands offer several advantages for solar installations: The flat terrain minimizes site preparation costs and engineering challenges that would be present in more mountainous regions. The open nature of the landscape means minimal natural shading from topographical features. The agricultural plains have already been developed, meaning less environmental impact compared to developing pristine areas. Specifically, the southwestern regions extending from Douliu toward the coastal areas of Yunlin County offer particularly suitable conditions. These areas combine flat terrain with reduced competition for land use compared to the more densely populated areas immediately surrounding Douliu city itself.

Topographical Constraints

The eastern foothills and mountains, while receiving good solar exposure on south-facing slopes, present significant challenges for large-scale solar development. The steep terrain would substantially increase construction costs and potentially cause environmental concerns related to land clearing and erosion. The river valleys that cut through the region also present mixed opportunities. While they offer flat terrain, these areas may face flooding risks and often contain prime agricultural land that might be prioritized for food production. Some of the gently rolling hills to the northeast of Douliu could represent a compromise solution, offering slightly elevated terrain with moderate slopes that could be suitable for solar installations while avoiding the most productive agricultural lands. The topographical diversity around Douliu thus provides several options for solar development, with the western plains representing the most immediately practical areas for large-scale installations, while selected areas in the foothills might offer opportunities for smaller or specialized solar projects that can adapt to more varied terrain.

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!

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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.