Solar PV Analysis of Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand is a pretty good spot for generating solar power year-round. Because it's located in the Tropics, where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year, there's plenty of sun to fuel solar panels. The seasons here are more about wet and dry periods rather than temperature changes.
Looking at the electricity output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar that can be expected at this location in each season: during summer you can expect 4.96 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day; autumn brings 4.46 kWh/day; winter ramps up with 5.79 kWh/day; and spring tops out with 5.91 kWh/day.
So when's the best time to generate solar energy here? Spring appears to be slightly better than other seasons due to higher daily energy production but really, all seasons seem quite productive because even in autumn - which has the least daily output - you're still getting a decent amount of electricity from your panels.
If you're planning on installing fixed panels here, tilting them towards south by 12 degrees will give you maximum total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect your solar production such as weather conditions or environmental issues. For example, Hua Hin experiences monsoon rains which could reduce sunshine hours and thereby affect your system’s productivity during those times of year. Also dust or bird droppings might accumulate on your panels over time reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these factors:
- Install an adjustable mount so you can change panel angles depending on seasonal variations.
- Regularly clean and maintain your panels to keep them operating efficiently.
- Consider using micro-inverters instead of string inverters as they work independently for each panel ensuring optimal performance even if one panel is shaded or dirty.
In conclusion, while Hua Hin may have its challenges like any other location, it's a pretty good spot for solar power generation 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 Hua Hin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 12.5667, Longitude: 99.9667 (Hua Hin, 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 12° South in Hua Hin, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hua Hin, Thailand (Lat/Long 12.5667, 99.9667) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 12° 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 Hua Hin, 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 Hua Hin, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 12° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4° North in Summer | 19° South in Autumn | 28° South in Winter | 6° 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 Hua Hin, 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 Hua Hin, 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 Hua Hin, Thailand
Hua Hin, Thailand is located on the Gulf of Thailand's western shore. The topography consists mainly of coastal plains with some hilly areas to the west. It has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity levels throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are ideal as they allow for easy installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. Therefore, the coastal plains around Hua Hin would be suitable for such projects.
However, it's important to consider other factors like land use (agriculture, urban development etc.), proximity to electricity grids for power transmission and potential environmental impact. Also crucial is an assessment of local solar irradiance levels - how much sun the area gets - which in Hua Hin should be quite high given its tropical location.
Finally, any project would need to comply with Thai laws regarding land usage and energy production. A thorough feasibility study including all these aspects would be necessary before deciding on a specific site.
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 7th 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.
