Chumphon, Thailand, located at 10.1934° N, 99.0877° E, presents a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this area benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Chumphon varies across meteorological seasons, with spring being the most productive period. The expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity is as follows:

• Spring: 6.06 kWh/day
• Winter: 5.50 kWh/day
• Summer: 5.36 kWh/day
• Autumn: 4.35 kWh/day

These figures indicate that Chumphon maintains relatively high solar energy potential throughout the year, with only a moderate dip in autumn. The region's proximity to the equator ensures a stable solar resource, making it an attractive location for year-round solar power generation.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Chumphon, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 9 degrees facing South. This relatively shallow angle reflects the location's proximity to the equator, where the sun's path remains high in the sky throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Chumphon offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate, which can present challenges:

Heavy rainfall during the wet season (typically May to November) may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. To mitigate this, installers should ensure proper drainage systems are in place and panels are angled to allow water runoff. Additionally, using high-quality, water-resistant solar panels and components can help maintain performance during rainy periods.

High humidity levels can potentially lead to moisture buildup on panels or within electrical components. To address this, it's crucial to use corrosion-resistant materials and ensure proper sealing of all electrical connections. Regular maintenance and cleaning can also help prevent any humidity-related issues.

Despite these considerations, the consistent solar radiation throughout the year makes Chumphon an excellent location for solar PV installations, with the potential for high energy yields across all seasons.

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 Chumphon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.1934, Longitude: 99.0877 (Chumphon, 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:

Average 5.36kWh/day in Summer.

Average 4.35kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 5.50kWh/day in Winter.

Average 6.06kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 9° South in Chumphon, Thailand

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chumphon, Thailand (Lat/Long 10.1934, 99.0877) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° 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.

At Latitude: 10.1934, Longitude: 99.0877, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 9° South

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Chumphon, 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 Chumphon, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° South tilt angle throughout the year.

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 Chumphon, 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 Chumphon, Thailand.

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 Chumphon, Thailand

The topography around Chumphon, Thailand, is quite diverse and interesting. Chumphon is located in the southern part of Thailand, along the eastern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The area is characterized by a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and forested mountains.

Near the coast, where Chumphon city is situated, the land is relatively flat and low-lying. This coastal plain extends for several kilometers inland before gradually rising into gently rolling hills. As you move further west from the coast, the terrain becomes more rugged and mountainous. The Phuket mountain range runs north to south through this region, creating a natural barrier between the coastal areas and the interior of the peninsula.

The landscape is dotted with numerous rivers and streams that flow from the mountains towards the Gulf of Thailand. These waterways have carved valleys and created fertile floodplains throughout the region. The combination of mountains, hills, and coastal plains creates a varied and picturesque landscape.

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the coastal plains and gently rolling hills offer the most promise. These areas typically have several advantages for solar energy production:

1. They receive ample sunlight throughout the year, as Thailand has a tropical climate with plenty of sunny days.
2. The relatively flat terrain makes it easier and less expensive to install large arrays of solar panels.
3. These areas are often more accessible, which simplifies construction and maintenance of solar facilities.
4. There is generally less forest cover in these regions, reducing the need for land clearing and minimizing environmental impact.

Specifically, the areas east of the Phuket mountain range, extending from the outskirts of Chumphon city to the surrounding rural areas, would likely be well-suited for solar PV projects. These locations offer a good balance of available land, suitable topography, and proximity to existing infrastructure and population centers that could benefit from the generated electricity.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project would require detailed site surveys, environmental impact assessments, and consideration of local land use regulations before proceeding. The tropical climate also means that factors such as heavy rainfall and potential flooding would need to be taken into account when planning and designing solar installations in this region.

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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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.

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