Solar PV Analysis of Guishan, Taiwan
Guishan, Taoyuan, Taiwan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar PV production varies across seasons, with notable fluctuations in energy output.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.20 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring and autumn follow with respectable outputs of 4.50 kWh/day and 4.26 kWh/day, respectively. Winter sees a significant drop, producing 2.87 kWh/day, which is less than half of the summer output.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the impact of seasonal variations on solar energy generation in Guishan. Despite the winter dip, the location maintains a relatively consistent energy output during the rest of the year, making it a suitable site for year-round solar power generation.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Guishan, Taoyuan, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 21 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun positions across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Guishan's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. Taiwan's subtropical climate means the area can experience typhoons and heavy rainfall, particularly during the summer and early autumn. These weather events could potentially impact solar panel performance and durability.
To mitigate these risks, solar installations in Guishan should incorporate robust mounting systems designed to withstand high winds. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensuring proper drainage around the installation can help maintain optimal performance during periods of heavy rainfall.
Another factor to consider is the potential for air pollution from nearby industrial areas, which could reduce solar panel efficiency over time. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels can help counteract this issue and ensure consistent energy production.
Overall, while there are some challenges to consider, Guishan's location offers a good balance of solar potential throughout the year, making it a viable option for solar PV installations with proper planning and preventative measures.
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 Guishan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 25.0273, Longitude: 121.359 (Guishan, 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 21° South in Guishan, Taiwan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Guishan, Taiwan (Lat/Long 25.0273, 121.359) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Guishan, 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 Guishan, Taiwan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° South in Summer | 28° 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 Guishan, 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 Guishan, 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 Guishan, Taiwan
The topography around Guishan, Taiwan, is characterized by a mix of coastal plains and hilly terrain. Guishan itself is located on the northern coast of Taiwan, facing the East China Sea. The immediate area around Guishan is relatively flat, with some gentle slopes leading up from the coastline.
As you move inland from Guishan, the landscape becomes more varied. To the south and southeast, the terrain gradually rises into a series of rolling hills and small mountains. These hills are part of the Datun Volcano Group, which includes several dormant volcanoes. The highest peak in this area, Mount Datun, reaches an elevation of about 1,092 meters (3,583 feet) above sea level.
To the east of Guishan, you'll find the Tamsui River estuary, where the river meets the sea. This area is characterized by flat, low-lying land and wetlands. Further east, the terrain becomes more urbanized as it approaches the outskirts of Taipei City.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas near Guishan would likely be found in the flatter regions to the north and northeast. These coastal plains offer expansive, open spaces with minimal shading from natural features. The relatively flat terrain would make construction and maintenance of solar arrays easier and more cost-effective.
Some potential locations for solar PV development might include:
- The coastal areas between Guishan and Tamsui
- Reclaimed land or unused industrial zones near the coast
- Flat agricultural land in the vicinity, if available and not in active use
It's important to note that while the hilly areas to the south might receive good sun exposure, the uneven terrain would make large-scale solar installations more challenging and expensive to implement. Additionally, any solar project would need to consider local regulations, environmental impacts, and the region's susceptibility to typhoons and other extreme weather events.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 30th of August 2024
Last Updated: Friday 30th of August 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.
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