Solar PV Analysis of Rach Gia, Vietnam
Rach Gia, Kiên Giang Province, Vietnam is a very good location for generating energy through solar PV year-round due to its tropical climate and consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be generated from each kW of installed solar varies slightly by season, but it's generally high all year round.
In Summer, you can expect about 5.50 kWh/day per kW of installed solar. In Autumn, this dips slightly to 4.92 kWh/day but then increases again in Winter to 5.52 kWh/day before reaching its highest point in Spring at 6.03 kWh/day.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during the Spring when output is highest; however, even during Autumn when output is lowest it still remains quite high compared to many other locations globally.
If you're installing fixed panel installations here, you should ideally tilt your panels at an angle of 9 degrees South as this has been found to maximise total yearly production from the PV system.
As with any location though there may be some local factors that could impact solar production - these could include things like heavy rainfall or cloud cover during monsoon seasons which might decrease sunlight availability and thus power generation.
To mitigate against these potential issues it's recommended that systems are well-maintained and kept clean (to ensure maximum light absorption), and also potentially have backup battery storage systems in place so excess energy generated during sunnier periods can be stored for use when sunlight availability may not be as great (like during rainy seasons). It's also important to make sure panels are securely installed so they aren't damaged by any strong winds or storms common in such regions.
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 160 locations across Vietnam. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Vietnam by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Rach Gia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.0149, Longitude: 105.0899 (Rach Gia, Vietnam), 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 9° South in Rach Gia, Vietnam
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rach Gia, Vietnam (Lat/Long 10.0149, 105.0899) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 9° 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 Rach Gia, Vietnam
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 Rach Gia, Vietnam. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 9° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6° North in Summer | 16° South in Autumn | 26° South in Winter | 4° 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 Rach Gia, Vietnam
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 Rach Gia, Vietnam.
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 Rach Gia, Vietnam
Rach Gia, Vietnam, is a coastal city located in the Mekong Delta region. The topography is generally flat and low-lying with numerous rivers and canals crisscrossing the area. The terrain features mainly plains interspersed with some small hills.
The surrounding areas are largely used for agricultural purposes, including rice farming and aquaculture. There are also several uninhabited islands nearby.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to consider factors like sunlight exposure (solar irradiance), land availability, proximity to power grids for transmission of electricity generated, as well as environmental impacts.
Given Rach Gia's location near the equator, it receives substantial sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar energy generation. However, due to its flat topography and high agricultural activity in surrounding areas, available land may be limited or potentially unsuitable due to flooding risks from monsoons or rising sea levels.
Potential sites for large-scale solar PV could include:
1) Unused lands or brownfield sites: These could be old industrial sites that have been abandoned or underutilized lands which aren't suitable for agriculture.
2) Rooftops of large buildings: Although this wouldn't qualify as "large-scale", installing panels on rooftops can contribute significantly towards renewable energy targets.
3) Floating Solar Farms: Given the abundance of water bodies in this region - both natural (rivers/sea) and man-made (aquaculture ponds), floating solar farms could be an option worth exploring.
4) Offshore Solar Farms: Similar to offshore wind farms but using floating photovoltaic systems instead. This would be more experimental but has been successfully implemented elsewhere.
A detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on specific locations taking into account all these factors along with local regulations and community acceptance.
Vietnam solar PV Stats as a country
Vietnam ranks 9th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 16,660 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Vietnam is generating 171 Watts from solar PV per capita (Vietnam ranks 30th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Vietnam?
Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Vietnam. The government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the development of renewable energy sources, including solar energy. These include tax exemptions, preferential loans, and feed-in tariffs for electricity generated from solar power plants. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Development Fund to provide financial support for projects related to renewable energy sources such as solar power.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Vietnam? 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: Friday 17th 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.
