Solar Energy Potential in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan

Zhubei, Hsinchu County, Taiwan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at latitude 24.8351 and longitude 121.0056, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal solar output varies, providing different levels of electricity production across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.70 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. This high yield is due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight during the summer months. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 4.86 kWh per day per kW installed. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production, yielding 4.22 kWh per day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.51 kWh per day per kW installed.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 22 degrees tilted towards the South. This angle has been calculated to optimize energy capture across all seasons, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Zhubei generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Typhoons: Taiwan is prone to typhoons, which can potentially damage solar installations. To mitigate this risk, it's crucial to use high-quality, wind-resistant mounting systems and panels designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. 2. High humidity: The subtropical climate of Zhubei means high humidity levels, which can lead to moisture-related issues in solar equipment. Implementing proper sealing and using corrosion-resistant materials can help protect the system components. 3. Air pollution: Industrial activities in nearby areas might contribute to air pollution, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help minimize this impact. By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate preventative measures, solar installations in Zhubei can achieve optimal performance and longevity, making the most of the location's favorable solar conditions 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 Zhubei

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 24.8351, Longitude: 121.0056 (Zhubei, 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 Zhubei, Taiwan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Zhubei, Taiwan (Lat/Long 24.8351, 121.0056) 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 Zhubei, 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 Zhubei, 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 Zhubei, 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 Zhubei, 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 Zhubei, Taiwan

The topography around Zhubei, Taiwan is quite diverse and interesting. Zhubei itself is located in the northwestern part of Hsinchu County, situated in a relatively flat coastal plain. This area is known as the Hsinchu Plain, which stretches along the western coast of Taiwan.

To the east of Zhubei, the landscape gradually transitions into rolling hills and then into more mountainous terrain. This is part of the western foothills of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range. These hills become progressively higher and steeper as you move eastward, eventually giving way to the rugged mountains that form the backbone of the island.

To the west and southwest of Zhubei, the land remains relatively flat as it approaches the Taiwan Strait. This coastal area includes some wetlands and estuaries where rivers from the mountains meet the sea.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the most suitable areas nearby would likely be found in the flatter regions to the west and southwest of Zhubei. These areas offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. The flat terrain makes construction and maintenance easier.
2. There's less natural shading from hills or mountains.
3. The proximity to the coast ensures good exposure to sunlight with fewer obstructions.
4. These areas are generally less densely populated, potentially offering more available land.

However, it's important to note that some of these coastal areas may include wetlands or agricultural land, which could pose environmental or land-use challenges for solar development. Any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider these factors and undergo proper environmental assessments.

The hilly areas to the east of Zhubei could also potentially host solar installations, particularly on south-facing slopes. However, the more complex terrain would likely make large-scale development more challenging and expensive compared to the flatter coastal regions.

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

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