Solar PV Analysis of Sam Phran, Thailand
Sam Phran, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand is a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate where sunlight is consistent. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar varies slightly by season but remains relatively high year-round. Specifically, in summer you can expect around 5.91kWh/day, in autumn it's about 5.02kWh/day, in winter it rises slightly to 5.97kWh/day and spring sees the highest output at approximately 6.05kWh/day.
Even though there's no drastic difference between seasons as far as solar power generation is concerned, Spring would be the most ideal time because of its higher kWh per day output followed closely by Winter and Summer respectively.
If you are planning on installing fixed panel solar PV here, tilting your panels at an angle of 13 degrees towards South will help maximize their total yearly production.
As for potential obstacles to solar production at this location; environmental or weather factors might come into play since Sam Phran experiences both wet and dry seasons typical of tropical climates like Thailand’s. During the wet season, heavy rainfall could reduce sunlight exposure and thus lower energy generation from your panels.
To mitigate these potential issues when installing your panels:
1) Consider setting up a system that allows you to adjust the tilt angle of your panels so they can better capture sunlight during different times of year or weather conditions.
2) Regular maintenance should also be carried out to ensure any dirt or debris resulting from heavy rainfalls doesn't obstruct sunlight reaching the panels.
3) If feasible within budget constraints and space availability, consider over-sizing your installation which means having extra capacity beyond what you typically need so even if there are periods with less sun exposure due to inclement weather conditions; you still have enough power generated overall.
4) Use high-quality equipment designed specifically for harsh weather conditions which ensures longevity and consistent performance even in less ideal conditions.
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 Sam Phran
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.7243, Longitude: 100.213 (Sam Phran, 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 13° South in Sam Phran, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sam Phran, Thailand (Lat/Long 13.7243, 100.213) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Sam Phran, 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 Sam Phran, Thailand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° North in Summer | 20° South in Autumn | 29° South in Winter | 7° 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 Sam Phran, 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 Sam Phran, 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 Sam Phran, Thailand
Sam Phran is located in the Nakhon Pathom province of Thailand, which is in the central region of the country. The topography of this area is generally flat with fertile alluvial soils, making it ideal for agriculture. There are also several rivers and canals that crisscross through this region.
Regarding solar PV installations, flat regions with a high amount of sunlight exposure are typically most suitable. Given Sam Phran's location near the equator, it receives a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the year. However, other factors such as land use and availability must be considered too.
Large-scale solar PV projects would require vast tracts of open land that receive ample sunlight throughout the day. In this regard, agricultural lands could potentially be converted into solar farms – although this would need to be balanced against food production needs and local community interests.
Alternatively, rooftops in urban or industrial areas could also serve as potential sites for smaller-scale distributed solar PV systems. This approach has been successfully implemented in many parts of Thailand already.
However, any decision on where to site large-scale solar PV installations should take into account comprehensive feasibility studies that consider not only environmental conditions but also social-economic factors like cost-effectiveness and impact on 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 30th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
