Solar PV Analysis of Lamphun, Thailand
Lamphun, Thailand is a great location for generating solar energy all year round due to its tropical climate. In the tropics, sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year and seasons are often characterised more by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature changes. This means that solar panels in Lamphun can produce a steady amount of electricity throughout the year.
Looking at specific numbers, we see that each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power can produce an average of 5.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 4.84 kWh/day in autumn, 5.30 kWh/day in winter and 6.08 kWh/day in spring.
To maximise total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, it's recommended to tilt your panels at an angle of 18 degrees facing south if you have a fixed panel installation.
However, there could be some local factors that might impact how much energy you can generate from your solar PV system here.
The primary factor would be weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or cloud cover during the wet season which could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels and therefore decrease their output. Similarly high levels of dust or pollution might also affect their efficiency.
To mitigate these potential issues when installing your solar PV system, it's advisable to consider using cleaning systems or protective coatings on your panels to keep them clear from dust or other debris which may accumulate over time especially during dry seasons when dust levels might be higher than usual.
Additionally having a backup plan such as battery storage for times when production might be lower due to weather conditions would also help ensure you have enough power supply even during less ideal periods for generating solar energy.
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 Lamphun
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 18.5776, Longitude: 99.0097 (Lamphun, 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 18° South in Lamphun, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lamphun, Thailand (Lat/Long 18.5776, 99.0097) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 18° 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 Lamphun, 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 Lamphun, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 18° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° South in Summer | 25° South in Autumn | 34° South in Winter | 12° 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 Lamphun, 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 Lamphun, 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 Lamphun, Thailand
Lamphun, Thailand is located in the northern part of the country and is characterized by a mix of flat plains and hilly terrain. The area is surrounded by mountains to the north and west, while the east and south are relatively flat with fertile river valleys.
The Ping River flows through Lamphun providing irrigation for agricultural activities. The climate in this region is tropical savanna with distinct wet and dry seasons which can be beneficial for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that would be most suited include:
1) Flat Plains: Large expanses of flat land are ideal for setting up solar farms as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day without any obstructions like hills or trees. Hence, southern and eastern parts of Lamphun could be potential locations.
2) Unused Agricultural Land: Areas that were previously used for farming but are now lying fallow could also serve as good locations for installing solar panels because they typically have few obstructions to sunlight.
3) Rooftops in Urban Areas: In urban areas like Lamphun city, rooftops of commercial buildings or factories can be utilized for setting up smaller scale photovoltaic systems.
4) Brownfield Sites: These are plots of land that have been previously developed but are not currently in use - often due to industrial contamination. If there are such sites available around Lamphun, they could potentially be repurposed into solar farms after necessary cleanup measures.
However, it's important to conduct a thorough feasibility study considering factors such as local weather patterns (especially cloud cover), availability & cost of land, proximity to power grid connections etc., before deciding on specific sites.
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: Saturday 6th of July 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.
