Rawai, Phuket, Thailand, situated in the tropical region, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This area experiences consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Potential

The solar energy potential in Rawai is impressive, with varying outputs across meteorological seasons. Spring and winter show the highest production rates, with 6.44 kWh/day and 6.19 kWh/day respectively, per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn have slightly lower but still significant outputs at 5.44 kWh/day and 5.10 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Rawai is an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, with particularly strong performance during the drier months of winter and spring. The consistent sunlight throughout the year ensures a steady energy supply, making it an ideal spot for solar PV installations.

Optimal Panel Placement

For fixed panel installations in Rawai, Phuket, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 8 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated considering various factors, including daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel tilt, and NASA's solar irradiance data. By adhering to this tilt angle, solar PV systems can capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, optimizing energy production.

Environmental Considerations

While Rawai presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Tropical storms and heavy rainfall: During the wet season, Rawai may experience intense rainfall and occasional tropical storms, which could temporarily reduce solar output. 2. High humidity: The tropical climate brings high humidity levels, which may lead to increased dust accumulation on solar panels. To mitigate these challenges, preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:

• Use sturdy mounting systems designed to withstand strong winds and heavy rain
• Install panels at the recommended 8-degree tilt to promote natural cleaning during rainfall
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to combat dust accumulation
• Consider using anti-soiling coatings on panels to reduce dust adhesion

By addressing these factors, solar installations in Rawai can maintain high efficiency and durability, making the most of the location's excellent solar potential throughout the year.

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 Rawai

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.7874, Longitude: 98.335 (Rawai, 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 8° South in Rawai, Thailand

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rawai, Thailand (Lat/Long 7.7874, 98.335) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 8° 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 Rawai, 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 Rawai, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 8° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° North in Summer	13° South in Autumn	23° South in Winter	2° 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 Rawai, 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 Rawai, 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 Rawai, Thailand

Rawai, located in the southern part of Phuket Island, Thailand, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. The area features a stunning coastline with sandy beaches and rocky outcrops along its eastern edge, facing the Andaman Sea. Moving inland, the terrain gradually rises, transitioning from flat coastal plains to gently rolling hills. The landscape around Rawai is a mix of lush tropical vegetation and developed areas. Dense patches of rainforest and rubber plantations cover much of the inland region, interspersed with clearings for agriculture and human settlements. As you move further west and north from Rawai, the terrain becomes more undulating, with small hills and valleys creating a varied topography.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Rawai for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal location would have ample open space, relatively flat terrain, and minimal shading from surrounding vegetation or structures. One promising area for solar PV development lies to the north of Rawai, in the central part of southern Phuket. This region features more expansive, gently sloping terrain with some cleared areas that could potentially accommodate large solar arrays. The slightly elevated position of these inland areas may also benefit from reduced coastal haze and salt spray, which can impact solar panel efficiency. Another potential location for solar PV installations could be found to the northwest of Rawai, where there are larger patches of open land and some abandoned tin mining areas. These previously disturbed landscapes might be repurposed for renewable energy production, offering a sustainable solution for land use. It's important to note that while these areas show promise for solar PV development, any large-scale project would require careful environmental impact assessments and consideration of local land use regulations. The tropical climate of Phuket, with its high humidity and occasional heavy rainfall, would also necessitate specialized equipment and maintenance protocols to ensure optimal performance of solar installations in this unique environment.

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.