Solar Energy Production at Songshan, Taipei City, Taiwan

Songshan, Taipei City, Taiwan, located in the Northern Sub-Tropics at coordinates 25.05°N, 121.55°E, offers varying potential for solar energy production throughout the year. This location experiences distinct seasonal patterns in solar electricity generation that affect overall system performance. The energy output from solar PV systems in Songshan follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating approximately 6.23 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring and autumn provide moderate production at 4.50 kWh/day and 4.22 kWh/day respectively. Winter shows the lowest output at 2.81 kWh/day per kilowatt installed. For fixed solar panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 20 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar energy capture based on Songshan's geographical position and seasonal sun paths.

Environmental Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several significant environmental factors can impact solar energy production in Songshan:

• Typhoons and strong storms are common in Taiwan, particularly during summer and early autumn. These extreme weather events can physically damage solar installations if not properly secured.
• High humidity levels in this subtropical climate can accelerate component degradation and reduce system efficiency over time.
• Air pollution from nearby urban areas can create a haze that diminishes solar radiation reaching the panels.
• Heavy seasonal rainfall, especially during the monsoon season, can reduce solar exposure for extended periods.

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Songshan should incorporate several preventative measures. Using typhoon-resistant mounting systems with reinforced frames and wind-resistant designs is essential. Regular cleaning schedules help combat efficiency losses from pollution and dust accumulation. Additionally, installing micro-inverters or power optimizers can minimize production losses during partial shading conditions caused by cloud cover or pollution. The significant seasonal variation between summer and winter production (a difference of 3.42 kWh/day per kW installed) suggests that system sizing should account for these fluctuations, potentially including battery storage to balance energy availability 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 40 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 Songshan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 25.05, Longitude: 121.55 (Songshan, 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 20° South in Songshan, Taiwan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Songshan, Taiwan (Lat/Long 25.05, 121.55) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Songshan, 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 Songshan, Taiwan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° 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 Songshan, 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 Songshan, 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 Songshan, Taiwan

The topography around Songshan, located in the northern part of Taiwan, is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes mountains, hills, and urban development. Songshan sits within the Taipei Basin, which is surrounded by mountains on all sides except for the north where it opens to the sea through the Tamsui River. The area is part of the larger Taipei metropolitan region. To the east of Songshan rises the dramatic Nangang Mountain Range, with peaks reaching several hundred meters in height. These mountains form part of the northern edge of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range, which runs like a spine down the island. The terrain in this direction quickly becomes steep and rugged, covered with subtropical vegetation. To the south, the landscape transitions into the foothills of Xindian, with gradually increasing elevation as one moves away from the basin. The western side features the Guandu Plain, which is relatively flat before rising into the Datun Volcanic Group further northwest.

Solar PV Potential Areas

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations near Songshan, several areas present favorable conditions based on topographical considerations. The flatter regions of the Taipei Basin, particularly in the western and northern sections where the Guandu Plain extends, offer potential sites. These areas have minimal shading from mountains and relatively level terrain that reduces installation complexity and cost. The gently sloping foothills to the southwest of Songshan also present opportunities for solar development. These areas receive good sun exposure while requiring minimal land modification for installation. Additionally, some of the lower gradient hillsides facing south or southwest would maximize solar radiation capture throughout the day. However, the urban density around Songshan presents significant limitations for ground-mounted solar arrays. Much of the flat land is already developed with buildings and infrastructure. For this reason, the most practical approach in the immediate vicinity might be building-integrated photovoltaics rather than dedicated solar farms. The more suitable locations for large-scale solar development would be found further from the city center, particularly in the northwestern areas where the terrain flattens toward the coast. These regions combine favorable topography with fewer urban constraints, though they would still need to be evaluated for competing land uses such as agriculture. It's worth noting that the mountainous areas to the east, while offering excellent elevation, are generally too steep and environmentally sensitive for large solar installations. The construction requirements and ecological impact would likely make these areas impractical for solar development despite their height advantage.

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.