The location in Surat Thani, Thailand, situated at latitude 9.1861 and longitude 99.1976, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panel performance in Surat Thani varies slightly across the meteorological seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.22 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely, generating 5.59 kWh/day, while winter maintains a robust 5.27 kWh/day. Autumn experiences a slight dip but still produces a respectable 4.39 kWh/day.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 8 degrees facing South. This relatively low angle is due to Surat Thani's proximity to the equator, where the sun's path remains high in the sky throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Surat Thani's tropical climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Rainfall: The region experiences a monsoon season, typically from October to December, which may temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and precipitation. 2. Humidity: High humidity levels can potentially impact panel efficiency and accelerate wear on equipment. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed for tropical climates
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris, especially after rainy periods
• Use anti-corrosion materials for mounting systems and electrical components
• Consider slight adjustments to panel tilt during the monsoon season to improve water runoff

Despite these considerations, Surat Thani remains an excellent location for solar energy production. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide consistent and substantial energy output throughout the year, making it a viable and sustainable energy solution for the 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 Surat Thani

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 9.1861, Longitude: 99.1976 (Surat Thani, 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 Surat Thani, Thailand

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Surat Thani, Thailand (Lat/Long 9.1861, 99.1976) 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 Surat Thani, 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 Surat Thani, 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
7° North in Summer	14° South in Autumn	24° South in Winter	3° 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 Surat Thani, 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 Surat Thani, 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 Surat Thani, Thailand

Surat Thani, located in southern Thailand, is characterized by a diverse topography that offers a mix of landscapes. The area surrounding the city features a combination of low-lying coastal plains, gently rolling hills, and more elevated terrain as you move inland. To the west of Surat Thani, the landscape gradually rises towards the Phuket mountain range, which forms part of the larger Tenasserim Hills. These mountains, while not extremely high, provide a striking backdrop to the region and contribute to its varied topography. The eastern side of Surat Thani province is dominated by the Gulf of Thailand coastline, where you'll find numerous islands, including the popular tourist destinations of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao.

Coastal Plains and River Valleys

The immediate vicinity of Surat Thani city is primarily flat, with extensive coastal plains and river valleys. The Tapi River, which flows through the city, has created a fertile delta region that extends towards the coast. These low-lying areas are characterized by lush vegetation, including mangrove forests near the coast and agricultural lands further inland.

Inland Terrain

As you move away from the coast and the Tapi River valley, the terrain becomes more undulating. Rolling hills and small plateaus begin to appear, creating a patchwork of elevations. This varied landscape is interspersed with rubber plantations, palm oil estates, and patches of tropical forest.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Surat Thani, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would be relatively flat, receive ample sunlight, and have minimal environmental impact. The coastal plains and gently sloping areas to the north and east of Surat Thani city could be well-suited for solar PV development. These regions offer large, open spaces with good sun exposure and are generally less prone to flooding compared to the low-lying delta areas. Areas of cleared land or former agricultural plots that are no longer in use might also be potential candidates for solar installations. These sites would likely have existing road access and be relatively easy to develop. However, it's important to note that the region's tropical climate, with its high humidity and frequent rainfall, may pose challenges for solar energy production. Additionally, care should be taken to avoid ecologically sensitive areas such as mangrove forests or protected wildlife habitats. Any large-scale solar PV project in the region would need to carefully balance energy production goals with environmental conservation and local land use considerations. Detailed site-specific studies would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations for such developments in the Surat Thani area.

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

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.