Abu Qir, Alexandria, Egypt, located at latitude 31.313 and longitude 30.0535, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal town in the Northern Sub Tropics experiences varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy output at Abu Qir fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 8.28 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 7.17 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 5.26 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.46 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The location's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea contributes to its favorable conditions for solar energy production. The summer months, particularly June through August, offer peak solar potential due to longer daylight hours and clearer skies. Spring, especially April and May, also provides excellent solar conditions. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region still maintains a reasonable level of solar energy production year-round.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Abu Qir, Alexandria, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for seasonal variations in the sun's position.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Abu Qir generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors to consider: 1. Coastal humidity: The proximity to the Mediterranean can lead to increased humidity, potentially affecting panel efficiency. 2. Dust and sand: Being in a desert region, accumulation of dust and sand on panels can reduce their effectiveness. To mitigate these issues, consider the following preventative measures:

• Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels to remove dust and salt deposits
• Using anti-reflective coatings on panels to minimize efficiency loss due to humidity
• Installing panels at a slight angle to allow for natural cleaning by rainwater
• Considering tracking systems to maximize sun exposure throughout the day

Overall, Abu Qir presents a highly suitable location for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout the year and particularly excellent conditions during summer and spring months.

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 80 locations across Egypt. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Egypt by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Abu Qir

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.313, Longitude: 30.0535 (Abu Qir, Egypt), 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 27° South in Abu Qir, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Abu Qir, Egypt (Lat/Long 31.313, 30.0535) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Abu Qir, Egypt

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 Abu Qir, Egypt. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
15° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	46° South in Winter	24° 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 Abu Qir, Egypt

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 Abu Qir, Egypt.

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 Abu Qir, Egypt

Abu Qir, located in northern Egypt near the Mediterranean coast, is characterized by a predominantly flat and low-lying topography. The area surrounding Abu Qir is part of the Nile Delta region, which is known for its expansive plains and fertile agricultural land. The terrain is generally level, with only slight variations in elevation across the landscape. The coastline near Abu Qir features sandy beaches and shallow waters, gradually transitioning into the Mediterranean Sea. Moving inland, the topography remains relatively uniform, with occasional small depressions and gentle undulations. The flat nature of the land is a result of centuries of sediment deposition by the Nile River, which has created a vast alluvial plain in this part of Egypt.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the region surrounding Abu Qir offers advantages for solar energy development, as it minimizes the need for extensive land preparation and allows for efficient layout of solar panels. The areas to the south and southwest of Abu Qir, moving away from the coast and urban centers, present the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV projects. These inland areas benefit from reduced humidity compared to the immediate coastal zone, which can improve solar panel efficiency. Additionally, they typically experience less cloud cover and fog, ensuring more consistent sunlight exposure throughout the year. It's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as land use, proximity to power infrastructure, and environmental considerations would need to be assessed. The agricultural importance of the Nile Delta region means that careful planning would be required to balance solar energy development with the preservation of fertile farmland. Areas slightly elevated above the floodplain, if available, would be particularly suitable for solar PV installations, as they would be less prone to potential flooding and offer better drainage. However, given the generally flat nature of the region, such elevated areas may be limited. In conclusion, while the topography around Abu Qir is predominantly flat and theoretically suitable for solar PV development, the most promising areas would likely be found in the drier, inland regions to the south and southwest, where land use conflicts might be minimized and solar resource potential maximized.

Egypt solar PV Stats as a country

Egypt ranks 34th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,675 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Egypt is generating 17 Watts from solar PV per capita (Egypt ranks 67th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Egypt?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Egypt. The Egyptian government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include feed-in tariffs, net metering, tax exemptions, and subsidies. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Authority (REA) to oversee the development of renewable energy projects in Egypt.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Egypt? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.