Faisal, Giza, Egypt, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 30.0195, 31.1995, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with significant seasonal variations.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Faisal follows a predictable seasonal pattern. Summer months yield the highest energy output at 8.49kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely with 7.52kWh/day, while autumn produces a moderate 5.57kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest production at 3.95kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

This seasonal variation means that solar systems in Faisal will produce more than twice as much electricity in summer compared to winter months. The transition seasons of spring and autumn offer intermediate production levels, with spring being notably stronger than autumn.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Faisal, Giza, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 26 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize annual energy harvest by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the year and weighting the angle based on daily PV potential.

Environmental Factors Affecting Production

Several environmental factors can impact solar production in Faisal:

• Dust and sand accumulation: Being in Egypt, Faisal experiences desert conditions with frequent dust and sandstorms that can significantly reduce panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.
• High temperatures: Summer temperatures in this region can exceed 40°C (104°F), which can reduce solar panel efficiency as PV cells become less efficient at higher temperatures.
• Air pollution: Proximity to Cairo means that urban air pollution can reduce solar irradiance reaching the panels.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production in Faisal, Giza, several preventative measures are recommended:

• Regular cleaning schedule: Implementing automated or manual cleaning systems to remove dust and sand deposits, ideally every 2-4 weeks.
• Elevated mounting: Installing panels with sufficient ground clearance to minimize sand accumulation and allow for better air circulation.
• Temperature-resistant panels: Using panels with lower temperature coefficients that perform better in hot conditions.
• Adequate spacing: Ensuring proper spacing between panels to allow for airflow that helps reduce operating temperatures.
• Anti-reflective coatings: Utilizing panels with anti-reflective coatings that are more resistant to dust adhesion.

With these considerations addressed, Faisal presents a very good location for solar PV installation, especially given its strong production during spring and summer months which can compensate for the lower winter output.

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 Faisal

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.0195, Longitude: 31.1995 (Faisal, 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 Faisal, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Faisal, Egypt (Lat/Long 30.0195, 31.1995) 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 Faisal, 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 Faisal, 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 Faisal, 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 Faisal, 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 Faisal, Egypt

Faisal, situated in the Giza Governorate of Egypt, is characterized by a relatively flat topography typical of the Nile Delta's southwestern edge. The area sits at an elevation of approximately 20-30 meters above sea level and forms part of the greater Cairo metropolitan region. The landscape around Faisal consists primarily of urban development transitioning to desert plains as one moves westward. The immediate vicinity of Faisal is densely urbanized, with buildings and infrastructure dominating the landscape. However, just a few kilometers to the west, the terrain transitions abruptly to the Western Desert (also known as the Libyan Desert), which features flat to gently undulating sandy and rocky plains. This transition zone between the fertile Nile Valley and the arid desert is marked by a distinct change in elevation and soil composition.

Solar PV Potential in Surrounding Areas

The areas most suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations lie to the west and southwest of Faisal, where the Western Desert begins. These desert regions offer several advantages for solar energy development: The desert plains extending westward from the Cairo metropolitan area provide vast, unoccupied spaces with minimal competing land uses. These areas receive abundant solar radiation throughout the year due to the predominantly clear skies and minimal cloud cover characteristic of Egypt's desert climate. Specifically, the desert plateau west of the Giza Governorate offers ideal conditions for solar installations. This region features stable ground with minimal vegetation, reducing concerns about environmental impact or land clearing requirements. The relatively flat terrain minimizes earthwork requirements during construction and helps avoid shading issues between solar panels. Another promising area lies along the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road corridor, where there are expansive undeveloped lands with proximity to existing transmission infrastructure. These locations combine favorable topographical conditions with reasonable access to the electrical grid, reducing interconnection costs. The areas south of Faisal, extending toward 6th of October City, also present suitable terrain for solar development. This region features gently sloping desert land with good road access and proximity to population centers that could utilize the generated electricity. While the immediate urban area of Faisal itself is not suitable for large-scale solar development due to space constraints and building density, the nearby desert regions offer exceptional conditions for utility-scale solar farms. The transition from urban to desert landscape occurs rapidly as one moves away from the Nile Valley, providing ample opportunities for renewable energy development within relatively short distances from population centers.

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.