Solar PV Analysis of Tha Mai, Thailand
Tha Mai in Thailand is a generally good location for year-round solar energy production due to its tropical climate, which provides consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The electricity output from solar panels installed here can vary slightly depending on the season, but it remains relatively high all year round. In summer, you can expect about 5.20 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar installed; in autumn this drops slightly to 4.48 kWh/day; then increases again in winter and spring to 5.73 kWh/day and 5.64 kWh/day respectively.
The best times of year for generating solar power at this location are during the winter and spring when sunlight is most abundant, though summer also provides a significant amount of energy production.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 12 degrees towards the south will maximize total yearly energy production from your photovoltaic (PV) system.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect solar production here - mainly weather-related issues due to seasonal variations such as heavy rainfall during wet seasons or cloud cover which could limit sun exposure on your panels and thus reduce their efficiency.
To mitigate these challenges when installing your PV system:
1) Consider using more durable PV modules that can withstand heavy rain.
2) Install a tracking system that adjusts panel orientation throughout the day according to sun's position maximizing sun exposure.
3) Regularly clean and maintain your panels so they remain efficient even under less-than-ideal conditions.
4) If possible install additional capacity to compensate for days with lower productivity caused by weather conditions.
Overall Tha Mai offers favorable conditions for producing renewable energy via Solar PV systems throughout most parts of the year if precautions are taken against potential weather-related challenges.
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 Tha Mai
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 12.6188, Longitude: 102.0176 (Tha Mai, 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 Tha Mai, Thailand
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tha Mai, Thailand (Lat/Long 12.6188, 102.0176) 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 Tha Mai, 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 Tha Mai, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° 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 Tha Mai, 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 Tha Mai, 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 Tha Mai, Thailand
Tha Mai, Thailand is located in the Chanthaburi Province which is known for its coastal plains and mountainous terrains. The area around Tha Mai is generally flat with slight undulations, making it suitable for agricultural activities. There are also patches of forests and water bodies nearby.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open areas with minimal shading are ideal. In this context, the following areas could be considered:
1) Agricultural Lands: The vast agricultural lands around Tha Mai can be used to install solar panels without much obstruction to sunlight.
2) Coastal Areas: The coastal plains near Tha Mai can also be a good location due to their flat nature and high exposure to sunlight.
3) Unused Land Spaces: Any unused or barren land spaces in the region would also be suitable for setting up large-scale solar PV systems.
However, it's important to note that environmental impact assessments need to be conducted before installing such infrastructure on any type of land. Factors like local weather patterns (especially monsoon seasons), biodiversity impacts, soil stability and local community acceptance should all play a role in determining the best locations for these installations.
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: Saturday 8th 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.
