Solar PV Analysis of Taoyuan, Taiwan
Taoyuan, Taiwan, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 24.9977, 121.2965, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The region experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, providing a consistent source of renewable energy.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.70 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 4.86 kWh/day, while autumn yields 4.22 kWh/day. Winter, although less productive, still manages a respectable 3.51 kWh/day.
The location's year-round solar potential is evident, with even the least productive season delivering over 60% of the peak summer output. This consistency makes Taoyuan an attractive site for solar PV installations, offering reliable energy generation throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize solar energy capture, fixed panels should be tilted at a 22-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle has been calculated to ensure the highest possible year-round energy production, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Taoyuan presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a subtropical monsoon climate, which can bring periods of heavy rainfall and occasional typhoons. These weather patterns may temporarily reduce solar output and potentially pose risks to panel installations.
To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should incorporate robust mounting systems capable of withstanding strong winds. Additionally, implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help combat the effects of dust and debris accumulation, which may be more pronounced during dry periods between monsoons.
Despite these considerations, with proper planning and preventative measures, Taoyuan remains an ideal location for harnessing solar energy, offering a reliable and sustainable power source 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 Taoyuan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 24.9977, Longitude: 121.2965 (Taoyuan, 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 Taoyuan, Taiwan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Taoyuan, Taiwan (Lat/Long 24.9977, 121.2965) 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 Taoyuan, 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 Taoyuan, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° South in Summer | 29° South in Autumn | 40° South in Winter | 18° 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 Taoyuan, 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 Taoyuan, 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 Taoyuan, Taiwan
The topography around Taoyuan, Taiwan is quite diverse and interesting. Taoyuan City itself is located on a relatively flat plain known as the Taoyuan Plateau. This plateau gently slopes upward from the western coast of Taiwan towards the east. As you move eastward from Taoyuan, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly and eventually transitions into the rugged mountains of Taiwan's central region.
To the north and northeast of Taoyuan, you'll find more hilly areas that gradually rise into the Xueshan Range, which is part of Taiwan's larger central mountain system. These hills are often covered in lush vegetation and are home to numerous small rivers and streams that flow down towards the plains.
The western part of Taoyuan, closer to the Taiwan Strait, features a mix of flat coastal plains and some low-lying hills. This area is more densely populated and has been significantly altered by human development, including urban expansion and agricultural activities.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, a few options stand out:
The flat areas of the Taoyuan Plateau, particularly in the western and southwestern parts of Taoyuan City, could be suitable for solar farms. These regions receive ample sunlight and have fewer geographical obstacles that might cast shadows or complicate installation. However, the high population density and existing land use might pose challenges.
The gently sloping hills to the east and northeast of Taoyuan could also be potential sites for solar installations. These areas might offer a good balance between available land and favorable sun exposure, although care would need to be taken to avoid areas with significant forest cover or ecological importance.
Lastly, some of the more open coastal areas to the northwest of Taoyuan might be considered for solar projects. These locations could benefit from unobstructed sunlight and potentially strong coastal winds, which can help keep solar panels cool and operating efficiently. However, concerns about typhoons and salt corrosion would need to be addressed in these coastal settings.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider factors beyond just topography, including local regulations, environmental impact, grid connectivity, and community acceptance. The densely populated nature of much of Taiwan means that finding large, unoccupied areas for solar farms could be challenging, and innovative approaches like rooftop solar or agrivoltaics (combining agriculture with solar power generation) might be worth exploring in this region.
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: Monday 26th of August 2024
Last Updated: Monday 26th 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.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
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