Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers an excellent location for solar energy generation via photovoltaic (PV) panels. This coastal resort town benefits from its position at latitude 27.9124° N and longitude 34.3323° E, providing ample sunlight throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Sharm el Sheikh varies across seasons, with summer being the most productive period. During summer months, a 1 kW solar installation can generate an impressive 8.40 kWh per day on average. Spring follows closely behind, with a daily output of 7.90 kWh. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 5.89 kWh per day. Winter, while still productive, experiences the lowest output at 4.78 kWh daily. Despite this seasonal variation, the location maintains a consistently high solar potential year-round.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize solar energy capture throughout the year, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 24 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels receive the most direct sunlight possible across all seasons, considering the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Sharm el Sheikh boasts excellent conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Desert dust: The proximity to desert areas can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency. 2. Coastal salt spray: Being a coastal location, salt from sea spray may deposit on panels over time. To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at a slight angle (as recommended) can help with natural cleaning during occasional rainfall. Additionally, using protective coatings on panels can help resist salt and dust buildup.

Conclusion

Overall, Sharm el Sheikh presents an ideal location for solar PV installations. Its year-round sunny climate, particularly strong in summer and spring, makes it an excellent choice for consistent solar energy production. With proper installation techniques and maintenance practices, the environmental challenges can be effectively managed, ensuring optimal performance of solar PV systems in this Egyptian resort town.

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 Sharm El Sheikh

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 27.9124, Longitude: 34.3323 (Sharm El Sheikh, 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 24° South in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt (Lat/Long 27.9124, 34.3323) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Sharm El Sheikh, 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 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
12° South in Summer	33° South in Autumn	43° South in Winter	21° 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 Sharm El Sheikh, 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 Sharm El Sheikh, 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 Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Sharm el Sheikh is situated on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, nestled between the Red Sea and the Sinai Desert. The topography of the area is characterized by a striking contrast between coastal plains and rugged mountainous terrain.

Along the coast, where the city of Sharm el Sheikh is located, you'll find relatively flat, sandy areas with beautiful beaches. This coastal strip is narrow, quickly giving way to more elevated terrain as you move inland. The transition from the coast to the interior is marked by a series of foothills and plateaus.

As you venture further inland, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic. The terrain rises sharply into the Sinai Mountains, dominated by the imposing Mount Sinai (also known as Mount Moses) and Mount Catherine, the highest peak in Egypt. These mountains are composed of ancient igneous and metamorphic rocks, creating a stark, arid landscape with deep wadis (dry riverbeds) cutting through the rocky terrain.

For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the expansive desert regions to the west and northwest of Sharm el Sheikh. These areas offer several advantages:

1. Abundant flat or gently sloping terrain, which is ideal for solar panel placement
2. Minimal vegetation and human settlement, reducing land-use conflicts
3. High levels of solar radiation throughout the year
4. Low precipitation, reducing the risk of weather-related damage to solar equipment

Specifically, the desert plains stretching towards the center of the Sinai Peninsula and the areas north of Sharm el Sheikh towards Dahab would be prime locations for solar farms. These regions provide ample space for large installations while being close enough to existing infrastructure to facilitate power transmission.

However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project in this area would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, particularly on the delicate desert ecosystem. Additionally, measures would need to be taken to protect the solar panels from sand and dust, which are prevalent in this arid environment.

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.