Solar PV Analysis of Chon Buri, Thailand
In the city of Chon Buri, Thailand (geographical coordinates: latitude 13.1604 and longitude 101.1083), solar power generation is a viable option thanks to its year-round sunlight. The average energy production per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity varies seasonally: it stands at 5.62 kWh in summer, drops slightly to 4.86 kWh in autumn, rises again to 5.89 kWh in winter before settling at 5.71 kWh in spring.
The tropical climate of Chon Buri offers an advantage with longer daylight hours during the summer months leading to increased energy production from solar panels during this period.
Nonetheless, certain climatic factors can pose challenges for solar power production in this location; heavy rainfall or storms are not uncommon here and can limit the amount of sunlight reaching the panels thereby reducing their output on those specific days or even weeks.
To mitigate these weather-related challenges and ensure optimal energy production from your installed solar system, it's recommended that you consider a fixed panel installation angled at approximately 13 degrees towards the South - this orientation is ideal given Chon Buri's geographical position relative to the sun's path across the sky throughout different times of year.
It’s also advisable that installations are made on elevated structures where feasible or use tilted racking systems which allows rainwater runoff and reduces accumulation of dust or other debris on panel surfaces - both factors that could otherwise impede their performance over time.
In conclusion, despite some weather-related challenges inherent to its tropical climate, Chon Buri offers a conducive environment for harnessing solar power effectively when appropriate installation practices are adhered to.
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 Chon Buri
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.1604, Longitude: 101.1083 (Chon Buri, 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 13° South in Chon Buri, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chon Buri, Thailand (Lat/Long 13.1604, 101.1083) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Chon Buri, 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 Chon Buri, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° North in Summer | 19° South in Autumn | 29° South in Winter | 7° 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 Chon Buri, 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 Chon Buri, 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 Chon Buri, Thailand
The topography around Chon Buri, Thailand is mostly flat with some rolling hills. The areas most suited to large-scale solar PV would be the flatter regions with minimal obstructions such as trees or buildings that could cast shadows on the panels. Areas near water bodies and open fields are ideal for this purpose.
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: Tuesday 15th of August 2023
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.
