El Shorouk, Cairo Governorate, Egypt represents a highly favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, positioned in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 30.1381, 31.6156. This location demonstrates strong solar production potential across all seasons, with particularly excellent performance during the warmer months.

Seasonal Solar Production Performance

The solar energy output at El Shorouk shows impressive seasonal variation that still maintains good production year-round. Summer delivers the peak performance at 8.48kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the optimal time for maximum energy generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 7.52kWh per day per kW, providing nearly comparable output to summer months. Autumn production drops to 5.56kWh per day per kW, which still represents solid energy generation. Winter shows the lowest output at 3.96kWh per day per kW, though this remains respectable compared to many global locations, particularly those at higher latitudes. For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round solar production is 26 degrees facing south. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel positioning, and weighting these factors against daily photovoltaic potential using solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant environmental factors at El Shorouk can impact solar production efficiency and require careful consideration during installation planning. Sand and dust accumulation represents the most substantial challenge for solar installations in this Egyptian location. The desert environment generates frequent dust storms and ongoing sand deposition on solar panels, which can dramatically reduce energy output by blocking sunlight from reaching photovoltaic cells. High ambient temperatures, while contributing to strong solar irradiance, can actually decrease panel efficiency. Solar panels typically lose efficiency as temperatures rise above optimal operating ranges, which commonly occurs during peak summer months in this region. Occasional sandstorms can create temporary but severe reductions in solar production by dramatically reducing visibility and coating panels with fine particulate matter.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Implement automated cleaning systems or schedule regular manual cleaning of panels to remove sand and dust accumulation
• Install panels with anti-soiling coatings that make dust removal easier and reduce particle adhesion
• Use mounting systems that allow adequate airflow beneath panels to help manage high temperature impacts
• Consider tracking systems that can be programmed to position panels optimally while also facilitating cleaning access
• Install monitoring systems to quickly identify performance drops caused by environmental factors

Despite these challenges, El Shorouk's location offers excellent solar potential that makes it highly suitable for solar PV installations. The consistent high solar irradiance throughout most of the year, combined with proper installation techniques and maintenance protocols, can deliver outstanding energy production results. The key to success lies in designing systems that account for the desert environment while taking advantage of the region's abundant sunshine.

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 Shorouk

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.1381, Longitude: 31.6156 (El Shorouk, 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 26° South in El Shorouk, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Shorouk, Egypt (Lat/Long 30.1381, 31.6156) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Shorouk, 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 Shorouk, Egypt. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
14° South in Summer	35° South in Autumn	45° 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 Shorouk, 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 Shorouk, 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 Shorouk, Egypt

Topographical Features of El Shorouk

El Shorouk is situated in the eastern desert region of Egypt, approximately 30 kilometers northeast of central Cairo. The area sits on a relatively flat plateau that forms part of the Eastern Desert's western edge, where the desert meets the Nile Delta region. The terrain is characterized by gentle undulations and low-lying hills, with elevations ranging from about 200 to 300 meters above sea level. The landscape consists primarily of limestone and sandstone formations typical of Egypt's desert regions, with occasional wadis (dry riverbeds) cutting through the terrain. The topography around El Shorouk is generally stable and well-drained, with minimal vegetation cover due to the arid climate. The area experiences very low rainfall, and the ground surface is predominantly composed of consolidated sedimentary rock overlain by thin layers of sand and gravel. The relatively flat nature of the terrain, combined with minimal natural obstacles like dense vegetation or significant elevation changes, creates favorable conditions for large-scale development projects.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around El Shorouk would be the expansive flat areas to the east and southeast of the city. These zones offer several advantages including stable geological foundations, minimal grading requirements, and excellent accessibility for construction and maintenance activities. The terrain in these areas is sufficiently level to minimize earthwork costs while providing adequate natural drainage to prevent water accumulation during the rare rainfall events. Areas located on the higher elevation plateaus, particularly those situated 15 to 25 kilometers east of El Shorouk, present ideal conditions for solar farms. These locations benefit from consistent wind patterns that help with natural cooling of solar panels, while the elevated position reduces the likelihood of dust accumulation from lower-lying areas. The geological stability of these plateau regions also provides excellent foundations for mounting systems and supporting infrastructure. The northern sections, closer to the Cairo-Suez highway corridor, offer additional advantages in terms of grid connectivity and transportation access. However, developers should avoid the lower-lying wadi areas and any zones with loose sand deposits, as these could present foundation challenges and increased maintenance requirements due to sand drift and accumulation on solar panels.

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.