Solar PV Analysis of Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Maha Sarakham, Thailand is a good location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar PV can be expected to be around 5.92kWh/day in summer, 5.18kWh/day in autumn, 5.90kWh/day in winter and 5.95kWh/day in spring.
In terms of ideal times for generating solar power at this location, all seasons seem to produce a similar amount of energy due to the area's tropical climate and consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels towards south at an angle of about 15 degrees would maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system.
However, there might be some local factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location such as heavy rainfall during monsoon season which could reduce sunlight exposure or dust and dirt accumulation on panels that may block sunlight absorption.
To prevent these issues from impacting your system's performance:
1) You should ensure regular cleaning and maintenance of your panels especially during dry seasons when dust accumulation can occur.
2) Installing protective measures like weather-resistant coatings or covers could help protect your system during heavy rainfalls or storms.
3) Consider using tracking systems that move with the sun to increase efficiency if cloud cover becomes an issue.
4) Also consider installing battery storage solutions so excess power generated during sunny periods can be stored for use when sunshine is less abundant.
In conclusion, Maha Sarakham offers favorable conditions for producing solar energy but care must be taken to manage potential obstacles related with weather patterns and environmental conditions specific to this region.
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 Maha Sarakham
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 16.0147, Longitude: 103.215 (Maha Sarakham, 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 15° South in Maha Sarakham, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maha Sarakham, Thailand (Lat/Long 16.0147, 103.215) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Maha Sarakham, 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 Maha Sarakham, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° 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 | 9° 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 Maha Sarakham, 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 Maha Sarakham, 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 Maha Sarakham, Thailand
Maha Sarakham is located in the northeastern part of Thailand, also known as the Isan region. The topography around Maha Sarakham is generally flat with some low-lying hills, and it's dominated by farmlands and rural areas.
The climate in this region is tropical savanna, characterized by a dry season from November to April and a rainy season from May to October. The area gets ample sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, open flatlands would be ideal as they provide enough space for installation without much obstruction to sunlight. Also, these lands are typically easier for construction purposes compared to hilly or mountainous terrains.
In the vicinity of Maha Sarakham, there are several such potential locations including agricultural fields that are not actively used or barren lands. However, any decision on utilizing these lands should consider factors like land ownership rights, impact on local communities and biodiversity.
Moreover, considering Thailand's policy support towards renewable energy generation especially solar power (like feed-in tariffs), regions like Maha Sarakham have good potential for large-scale solar PV projects. It would also contribute towards Thailand’s goal of increasing its renewable energy capacity over the coming years.
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: Sunday 9th of June 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.
