Diraz, Bahrain, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 26.2156, 50.4677, offers a favorable environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's potential for solar power production varies across seasons, with notable fluctuations in electricity output.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production in Diraz, with an impressive daily output of 7.35kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.69kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.45kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.15kWh/day per kW installed.

The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the region's seasonal variations. However, even during the least productive season, the output remains significant, indicating that Diraz is well-suited for year-round solar energy generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Diraz, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 23 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Diraz presents generally favorable conditions for solar power, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and sand: Being in a desert region, accumulation of dust and sand on solar panels can reduce efficiency.
• High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months may slightly decrease panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of panels is essential. Additionally, installing panels with a slight tilt helps with natural cleaning during occasional rains. Using heat-resistant, high-efficiency panels can also help maintain performance during hot periods.

Overall, Diraz, Bahrain offers an ideal location for solar PV energy generation. With its consistently high solar radiation throughout the year, particularly from spring through autumn, it presents an excellent opportunity for sustainable 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 Diraz

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.2156, Longitude: 50.4677 (Diraz, 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 Diraz, Bahrain

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Diraz, Bahrain (Lat/Long 26.2156, 50.4677) 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 Diraz, 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 Diraz, 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 Diraz, 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 Diraz, Bahrain.

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 Diraz, Bahrain

The topography around Diraz, Bahrain, is characterized by its flat, low-lying terrain. Located on the northwestern coast of Bahrain's main island, Diraz sits on a relatively featureless plain that extends across much of the country. The area is predominantly composed of sandy and rocky desert landscapes, with little variation in elevation. The coastline near Diraz features shallow waters and occasional small beaches, while the inland areas are mostly arid and sparsely vegetated. Given Bahrain's small size and limited land availability, the entire country experiences similar topographical conditions. The highest point in Bahrain, Jebel ad Dukhan, is located in the central-western part of the main island and reaches only about 134 meters (440 feet) above sea level. This modest elevation has little impact on the overall flat nature of the landscape around Diraz and its surrounding areas.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Diraz, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those that offer ample open space, minimal shading, and easy access to existing infrastructure. One potential area for solar PV development could be the open desert regions to the south and southeast of Diraz. These areas are largely uninhabited and offer vast expanses of flat terrain ideal for solar panel installation. The lack of significant vegetation or geographical features means there would be minimal natural obstacles to sunlight reaching the panels. Another possibility could be utilizing some of the reclaimed land areas along the coastline near Diraz. Bahrain has undertaken extensive land reclamation projects, creating new territories that could potentially be repurposed for renewable energy production. These areas often have good access to existing electrical grids and transportation networks, which could facilitate the construction and operation of solar farms. It's worth noting that while the topography around Diraz is generally favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as land ownership, environmental considerations, and proximity to populated areas would need to be carefully evaluated before determining the most suitable locations for large-scale solar projects. Additionally, given Bahrain's limited land resources, innovative approaches such as floating solar farms in nearshore waters could also be considered as potential alternatives to land-based installations.

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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.