Solar PV Analysis of Ban Phan Don, Thailand
Ban Phan Don, Udon Thani, Thailand is a very good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate. The amount of sunlight it receives is quite consistent and doesn't change much between seasons. In summer, autumn, winter, and spring respectively you can expect to generate around 5.73kWh/day, 5.23kWh/day, 5.85kWh/day and 5.98kWh/day per kilowatt of installed solar power.
The best time of year for generating solar energy at this location would be in the spring when the output reaches nearly 6 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar power capacity.
As far as installation goes, it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of about 17 degrees towards the south to get the most sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there could be some potential issues that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels in Ban Phan Don. For example:
- Cloudy or rainy weather: This region has a wet season which could reduce your system’s performance during those months.
- Dust or dirt on panels: This could block sunlight from reaching your panels.
- Shade from nearby buildings or trees: If something blocks direct sunlight from hitting your panels then they won't work as efficiently.
To counter these issues:
- Regular cleaning can help ensure dust or dirt does not accumulate on your panels.
- Trim any trees that may cast shade onto your panel setup.
- Install additional equipment like micro-inverters which allow individual panel performance so if one panel is underperforming (due to shade etc.) it doesn’t affect overall output too much.
In conclusion, while there are some factors that might slightly decrease efficiency in certain conditions (like rain), overall Ban Phan Don is an excellent place for producing electricity with solar power all year round!
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 88 locations across Thailand. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Thailand by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ban Phan Don
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 17.1443, Longitude: 102.9765 (Ban Phan Don, Thailand), 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 17° South in Ban Phan Don, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ban Phan Don, Thailand (Lat/Long 17.1443, 102.9765) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 17° 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 Ban Phan Don, Thailand
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 Ban Phan Don, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 17° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° South in Summer | 24° South in Autumn | 33° South in Winter | 10° 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 Ban Phan Don, Thailand
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 Ban Phan Don, Thailand.
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 Ban Phan Don, Thailand
Ban Phan Don is located in the northeastern region of Thailand, also known as Isan. The topography of this area is largely characterized by the Khorat Plateau, which is a flat terrain with an average elevation of about 200 meters above sea level. This plateau is surrounded by mountains on all sides except for the southeast where it gradually descends towards the Mekong River.
The climate in Ban Phan Don and surrounding areas can be classified as tropical savanna with distinct wet and dry seasons. The region receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year, especially during the dry season from November to April.
Considering these factors, large-scale solar PV installations would be highly suitable in this region due to its flat terrain and high solar irradiance. Areas that are not used for agriculture or protected as natural reserves could potentially be utilized for such projects.
However, specific site selection would require more detailed analysis including local land use patterns, proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid-connected systems), potential environmental impacts, and other socio-economic considerations.
Thailand solar PV Stats as a country
Thailand ranks 26th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 3,049 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 2.90% of Thailand's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 29th in the world). Each year Thailand is generating 44 Watts from solar PV per capita (Thailand ranks 54th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Thailand?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Thailand. The Thai government offers a number of tax incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include a 30% corporate income tax deduction on the cost of installing solar panels, as well as an exemption from import duties on certain components used in the installation process. Additionally, businesses can benefit from net metering policies which allow them to sell excess electricity generated by their solar system back to the grid at a premium rate. Finally, businesses may also be eligible for grants and other financial assistance from various government agencies and private organizations.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Thailand? 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: Thursday 30th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
