Solar Energy Potential in Nantou City, Taiwan

Nantou City, Taiwan, situated in the Northern Sub-Tropics at coordinates 23.9082° N, 120.6559° E, offers generally favorable conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location experiences relatively consistent solar production across all four seasons, with some notable seasonal variations. Spring proves to be the most productive season for solar energy in Nantou City, yielding approximately 5.79 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows closely behind with 5.51 kWh/day, while autumn generates 4.93 kWh/day. Winter, though less productive, still provides a respectable 4.35 kWh/day per kW installed.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Nantou City, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 22 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle optimizes solar capture across changing seasonal sun positions, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Nantou's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Nantou City:

• Typhoon exposure: Taiwan experiences regular typhoons, particularly during summer and early autumn. Strong winds can damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• Heavy rainfall: The region receives significant precipitation, which can temporarily reduce solar output and potentially cause water damage if installations aren't properly sealed.
• Humidity and air pollution: High humidity levels and occasional air pollution can reduce solar panel efficiency by limiting direct sunlight reaching the panels.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Nantou City, consider these preventative measures:

• Install typhoon-resistant mounting systems with reinforced frameworks that can withstand high winds.
• Use quality waterproofing for all electrical components and ensure proper drainage systems around ground-mounted installations.
• Select panels with anti-reflective coatings and high humidity tolerance ratings.
• Implement regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and debris, particularly after typhoon season.
• Consider slight adjustments to the standard 22-degree tilt angle based on specific local conditions like shading from nearby mountains or buildings.

Overall, Nantou City presents a good location for solar PV installations with relatively consistent year-round production. The slight seasonal variations are manageable, and with proper installation techniques addressing the environmental factors, solar energy systems can operate efficiently throughout the year.

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 Nantou City

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.9082, Longitude: 120.6559 (Nantou 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 Nantou City, Taiwan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nantou City, Taiwan (Lat/Long 23.9082, 120.6559) 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 Nantou 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 Nantou 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	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 Nantou 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 Nantou City, 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 Nantou City, Taiwan

Nantou City is situated in the heart of Taiwan, nestled within a diverse topographical landscape that transitions from plains to mountains. The city itself sits at an elevation of approximately 110 meters above sea level in a basin surrounded by more elevated terrain. This central location in Taiwan places Nantou in a transitional zone between the western coastal plains and the central mountain range that forms Taiwan's backbone. To the west of Nantou City, the terrain gradually descends toward the western coastal plains, featuring gentler slopes and more open landscapes. This western region has more agricultural development and flatter topography. Moving eastward from the city, the elevation increases more dramatically as the landscape transitions into the foothills of Taiwan's central mountain range, with peaks eventually reaching over 3,000 meters in the eastern parts of Nantou County.

Surrounding Mountain Features

The eastern and northeastern portions of Nantou County are dominated by Taiwan's central mountain range, including notable peaks such as Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taiwan's highest peak. These mountains create significant topographical relief in the region, with deep valleys and steep slopes characterizing much of the eastern landscape. The Bagua Mountain range lies to the northwest of Nantou City, while the Puli Basin, another important topographical feature, is located to the north. The Choshui River, Taiwan's longest river, flows through the southern part of the county, creating alluvial plains in some areas.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the western and southwestern areas surrounding Nantou City offer the most suitable topography. These regions feature: The relatively flat agricultural lands west of the city provide ideal conditions for solar farms, with minimal shading concerns and easier construction requirements. These areas have less dramatic elevation changes, reducing installation costs and complexity. The gently sloping hills in the southwestern regions of Nantou County also present opportunities for solar development. These locations benefit from favorable sun exposure while still having manageable terrain for installation infrastructure. Areas near the Choshui River basin in the southern portions of the county offer another potential zone for solar development. These regions combine relatively flat topography with good solar exposure conditions.

Topographical Limitations

The eastern and northeastern regions of Nantou County pose significant challenges for large-scale solar development due to their mountainous nature. The steep slopes, dense vegetation, and complex terrain make these areas impractical for extensive solar installations. Additionally, the numerous valleys throughout the eastern regions experience substantial shading during parts of the day as the surrounding mountains block direct sunlight, reducing the efficiency potential for solar energy collection. The central basin where Nantou City itself is located offers moderate potential for solar development, though urban density limits the scale of possible installations to smaller commercial or residential systems rather than utility-scale solar farms. The topographical diversity around Nantou City creates a situation where solar potential varies significantly across relatively short distances, with the western regions generally offering the most practical opportunities for large-scale development.

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.