El Alamein, Matruh, Egypt, located at latitude 30.8263° N and longitude 28.9537° E, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. This location in the Northern Sub Tropics offers substantial potential for solar power production throughout the year, with varying levels of efficiency across seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at El Alamein demonstrates significant seasonal variations. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive daily average of 8.78 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, yielding 7.78 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 5.75 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.15 kWh/day. This seasonal pattern indicates that El Alamein is particularly well-suited for solar energy generation during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. The extended daylight hours and clearer skies during this period contribute to the higher energy yields.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in El Alamein, Matruh, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal variations in solar elevation.

Environmental Considerations

While El Alamein offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Sand and dust: The desert environment can lead to accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency. 2. High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months may slightly decrease panel efficiency. To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of panels is essential to maintain optimal performance. Additionally, installing panels with a slight tilt can help with natural cleaning during occasional rain events. Choosing high-quality, heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation can help manage temperature-related efficiency losses. Overall, El Alamein presents an ideal location for solar PV installations, with its abundant sunshine and relatively stable weather conditions. The challenges posed by the environment are manageable with proper planning and maintenance, making it a promising site 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 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 El Alamein

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.8263, Longitude: 28.9537 (El Alamein, 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 El Alamein, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Alamein, Egypt (Lat/Long 30.8263, 28.9537) 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 El Alamein, 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 El Alamein, 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	35° South in Autumn	46° South in Winter	23° 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 El Alamein, 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 El Alamein, 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 El Alamein, Egypt

The topography around El Alamein, Egypt, is characterized by a relatively flat coastal plain that gradually transitions into a low-lying desert plateau. This area is part of the Western Desert region, which extends from the Nile Delta westward towards the Libyan border.

Near the coast, where El Alamein is located, the terrain is mostly flat with some gentle undulations. The coastline itself features sandy beaches and occasional rocky outcrops. As you move inland, the landscape becomes increasingly arid and desert-like, with sparse vegetation and occasional small hills or ridges.

The elevation in this region generally increases as you move away from the coast, but the change is gradual. The terrain is predominantly composed of sand and gravel, with some areas featuring limestone formations. There are also scattered depressions or basins in the desert, some of which may contain salt flats or seasonal wetlands.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the flat, open spaces of the desert plateau south of El Alamein. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy production:

1. Abundant flat land with minimal vegetation, reducing the need for extensive land clearing or grading
2. High levels of solar irradiation due to the clear skies and low precipitation in the desert climate
3. Minimal shadowing from geographical features or structures
4. Lower likelihood of sand dune formation compared to more inland desert areas

Specific locations that might be particularly suitable include the areas between El Alamein and the Qattara Depression to the south, as well as the expansive desert regions to the southwest of El Alamein. These areas provide ample space for large solar arrays while being relatively close to existing infrastructure and population centers along the coast.

However, it's important to note that any solar PV development in this region would need to consider factors such as dust accumulation on panels, the potential for sandstorms, and the need for water for panel cleaning. Additionally, environmental impact assessments would be necessary to ensure minimal disruption to the desert ecosystem.

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.