Solar PV Analysis of Al Muharraq, Bahrain
The location at Al Muharraq, Bahrain is quite good for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the Northern Sub Tropics where there's a lot of sunlight throughout the year.
In terms of how much electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels, during summer you can expect about 7.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, in autumn about 5.45 kWh/day, in winter around 4.15 kWh/day and in spring approximately 6.69 kWh/day.
These numbers mean that summer and spring are the most ideal times for generating solar energy at this location due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year, they should be fixed at an angle facing 23 degrees South. This will help maximize their exposure to sunlight and therefore increase total yearly production.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels here:
1) Dust storms: In areas like Bahrain where dust storms are common, these could cover your solar panels with dust reducing their efficiency.
Preventative Measure: Regular cleaning or installing automated cleaning systems on your panels would help keep them clear of dust.
2) High temperatures: While sunny weather is great for producing solar power, very high temperatures can actually reduce panel efficiency.
Preventative Measure: You could consider using cooling systems or selecting types of panels known for better performance under high temperature conditions.
3) Humidity & Salinity: Being a coastal city, humidity levels tend to be high which combined with salinity may cause corrosion affecting long-term panel performance.
Preventative Measure: Use corrosion-resistant materials when installing your system and regular maintenance checks would also help mitigate these effects.
So while there are potential challenges related to weather and environmental conditions in Al Muharraq, with the right setup and maintenance, it's a good location for solar energy production.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 9 locations across Bahrain. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Bahrain by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Al Muharraq
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.2658, Longitude: 50.6113 (Al Muharraq, Bahrain), 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 23° South in Al Muharraq, Bahrain
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Al Muharraq, Bahrain (Lat/Long 26.2658, 50.6113) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Al Muharraq, Bahrain
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 Al Muharraq, Bahrain. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° South in Summer | 31° South in Autumn | 41° South in Winter | 19° 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 Al Muharraq, Bahrain
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 Al Muharraq, Bahrain.
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 Al Muharraq, Bahrain
Al Muharraq, Bahrain is located on an island, which is generally flat with very little variation in elevation. The highest point in the entire country of Bahrain is only 134 meters above sea level. The landscape consists mainly of low desert plains and salt marshes.
As for solar PV installations, large-scale projects would require vast open spaces that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the year. Given Al Muharraq's geographical location and climate (hot desert climate), it receives ample sunlight making it suitable for solar energy generation.
However, due to its island nature and high population density, finding large open spaces within Al Muharraq itself might be challenging. Hence nearby areas with more available land such as the Southern Governorate or Northern Governorate may be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations.
Moreover, Bahrain has been actively pursuing renewable energy options including solar power. For instance, they have a project underway to build a massive 5MW Solar Power Plant on the Askar landfill site in the Southern Governorate.
In conclusion, while Al Muharraq receives plenty of sun making it theoretically great for solar power generation; practical considerations like availability of land might make other less densely populated regions in Bahrain better suited for large scale Solar PV installations.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 9th 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.
