The location of Kantharawichai, Maha Sarakham, Thailand, presents a favorable environment 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 climate patterns.

Solar Energy Potential

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Kantharawichai can expect relatively stable electricity output across all meteorological seasons. The daily energy production per kilowatt of installed solar capacity ranges from 5.18 kWh to 5.95 kWh, depending on the season. Spring sees the highest energy production at 5.95 kWh/day, closely followed by summer at 5.92 kWh/day. Winter maintains a strong output of 5.90 kWh/day, while autumn experiences a slight dip to 5.18 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Kantharawichai is an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, with minimal seasonal fluctuations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Kantharawichai, Maha Sarakham, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 16 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated taking into account the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and potential PV output throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Kantharawichai offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: The region experiences a monsoon climate, which may lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall during certain months, potentially reducing solar output. 2. High humidity: The tropical climate results in high humidity levels, which can affect the efficiency of solar panels and associated equipment. To mitigate these factors, the following preventative measures can be taken during solar installation:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed for tropical climates
• Implement proper drainage systems to prevent water accumulation on panels
• Install robust mounting systems to withstand potential strong winds during storms
• Regularly clean panels to remove dust and debris, which can accumulate more quickly in humid environments

By taking these precautions, solar energy systems in Kantharawichai can maintain optimal performance and longevity, capitalizing on the location's excellent year-round solar potential.

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 Kantharawichai

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 16.3179, Longitude: 103.2968 (Kantharawichai, 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 16° South in Kantharawichai, Thailand

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kantharawichai, Thailand (Lat/Long 16.3179, 103.2968) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° 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 Kantharawichai, 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 Kantharawichai, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
0° in Summer	23° South in Autumn	32° 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 Kantharawichai, 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 Kantharawichai, 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 Kantharawichai, Thailand

The landscape around Kantharawichai, Thailand, is characterized by gently rolling plains and low-lying areas typical of the northeastern region of the country, known as Isan. This area is part of the Khorat Plateau, a large, saucer-shaped landform that covers much of northeastern Thailand. The terrain is generally flat to slightly undulating, with occasional small hills and shallow depressions. The topography of Kantharawichai and its surroundings is primarily shaped by agricultural land use. Rice paddies dominate the landscape, creating a patchwork of fields that stretch across the horizon. These fields are often interspersed with small groves of trees and scattered rural settlements. The area experiences a tropical savanna climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, which influences the vegetation and land use patterns.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

Several areas near Kantharawichai show promise for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The relatively flat terrain and abundance of open spaces make this region well-suited for solar energy development. Particularly attractive are the expansive agricultural lands that are not currently under intensive cultivation or are experiencing declining productivity due to soil degradation or water scarcity. The areas to the east and southeast of Kantharawichai, where the land is slightly more elevated and less prone to flooding during the wet season, could be ideal for solar PV projects. These locations would benefit from good sun exposure throughout the year and minimal shading from natural features or man-made structures. Additionally, abandoned or underutilized industrial sites near the outskirts of urban areas in the region could be repurposed for solar energy production. These brownfield sites often have existing infrastructure, such as access roads and grid connections, which could reduce the overall cost and environmental impact of solar PV installations. It's important to note that while the topography is generally favorable for solar energy development, careful site selection would be necessary to avoid areas of ecological importance or cultural significance. Furthermore, any large-scale solar projects would need to be balanced with the region's agricultural needs and water resource management to ensure sustainable development for the local communities.

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.