Solar PV Analysis of Rayong, Thailand
Rayong, Thailand, located in the tropical region where there is consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, makes it an excellent location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly with seasons but remains relatively high: 5.60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer, 4.98 kWh/day in autumn, 5.90 kWh/day in winter and 5.92 kWh/day in spring.
This means that regardless of the season, you can expect your solar panels to produce a good amount of energy every day if they are installed correctly at this location. The best times to generate solar power would be during spring and winter when daily output is highest.
The ideal angle to install these panels for maximum annual production is tilted 12 degrees towards the south. This tilt takes into account the position of the sun relative to this specific location on earth throughout different times of the year.
However, there could be some local factors affecting solar production at Rayong which need consideration while installing these panels:
1) Rainy Season: As tropical regions like Rayong experience heavy rainfall during certain parts of the year (typically between May and October), there may be fewer hours of sunlight available for producing electricity during these months.
Preventative Measure: Although we cannot control weather conditions such as rain or cloud cover that limit sunlight exposure on solar panels; making sure your system has adequate battery storage will allow excess power produced on sunny days to be stored and used when needed later - effectively balancing out fluctuations due to weather changes.
2) Dust & Debris: Dust accumulation or debris falling onto your panels can also reduce their efficiency by blocking sunlight.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning and maintenance checks are essential to ensure dust or debris does not build up over time reducing panel efficiency - especially important considering Rayong's coastal location where salt from sea breeze could potentially build up on the panels.
3) Shading: Buildings, trees or other structures can cause shading and reduce solar panel efficiency.
Preventative Measure: It's important to choose an installation site that is free from potential shading as much as possible throughout the day and year.
In conclusion, Rayong, Thailand is a great place for generating solar power all year round provided these factors are considered during installation and maintenance of your solar system.
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 Rayong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 12.666, Longitude: 101.2802 (Rayong, 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 Rayong, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rayong, Thailand (Lat/Long 12.666, 101.2802) 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 Rayong, 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 Rayong, 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 Rayong, 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 Rayong, 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 Rayong, Thailand
Rayong, Thailand is located in the eastern part of the country along the Gulf of Thailand. The topography around Rayong is generally flat with some small hills and plateaus. It also includes coastal plains due to its proximity to the sea.
This region receives a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it well-suited for solar PV installations. The flatlands in particular would be suitable for large-scale solar farms as they provide ample space and exposure to sunlight.
In terms of specific areas, locations away from dense urban development and forested regions would be most appropriate to avoid potential issues with shading or land use conflicts. Areas close to existing infrastructure such as roads and power lines would also be beneficial for easier installation and connection to the grid.
However, an exact assessment should take into account various factors including local climate conditions (like cloud cover), land availability, environmental impact considerations among others which require detailed on-ground surveying and studies.
Please note that while geographical location can indicate potential suitability for solar power generation, actual feasibility depends on numerous other factors like economic viability, regulatory policies etc., which need careful evaluation by industry experts or consultants.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 26th 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.
