Tunaydah, New Valley, Egypt is an excellent location for year-round solar energy generation, positioned in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 25.509°N, 29.3441°E. This location demonstrates consistently strong solar production potential throughout all seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at Tunaydah shows remarkable consistency across the year. Summer delivers the highest production at 8.76 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, while spring follows closely at 8.34 kWh per day. Even during the lower production seasons, autumn generates 6.39 kWh per day and winter produces 5.34 kWh per day. The ideal times for solar generation at this location are clearly summer and spring, when production peaks at nearly 9 kWh per day. However, the relatively strong winter performance of over 5 kWh per day demonstrates that this location maintains viable solar production year-round, making it highly suitable for consistent renewable energy generation.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Tunaydah, New Valley, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 22 degrees facing south. This optimal angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles throughout the year, determining optimal panel tilts for each day, and weighting these angles according to solar irradiance data to maximize total annual output.

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

The primary environmental factor that could significantly impact solar production at Tunaydah is sand and dust accumulation on solar panels. Being located in Egypt's desert region, this location experiences frequent sandstorms and persistent dust particles that can reduce panel efficiency by blocking sunlight.

• Regular cleaning schedules using appropriate cleaning equipment and techniques
• Installation of anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces
• Proper panel mounting with adequate spacing for air circulation
• Use of automated cleaning systems for larger installations

The extreme heat common in this region can also reduce panel efficiency, as photovoltaic cells lose effectiveness at very high temperatures. Proper ventilation spacing behind panels and selecting panels with better temperature coefficients can help mitigate this issue. Wind-blown sand can cause micro-scratching of panel surfaces over time, gradually reducing their effectiveness. Installing panels with durable, scratch-resistant glass and ensuring proper structural support to withstand desert wind conditions will help maintain long-term performance.

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 Tunaydah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 25.509, Longitude: 29.3441 (Tunaydah, 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 22° South in Tunaydah, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tunaydah, Egypt (Lat/Long 25.509, 29.3441) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Tunaydah, 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 Tunaydah, Egypt. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
9° South in Summer	31° South in Autumn	41° South in Winter	18° 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 Tunaydah, 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 Tunaydah, 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 Tunaydah, Egypt

Topographical Features Around Tunaydah

The landscape surrounding Tunaydah in southern Egypt is characterized by relatively flat desert terrain typical of the Eastern Desert region. This area sits within the broader Nile Valley system, positioned on the eastern bank of the Nile River at an elevation of approximately 100 meters above sea level. The topography consists primarily of low-lying sandy and rocky desert plains that extend eastward toward the Red Sea Hills. The immediate vicinity features gentle undulating terrain with minimal elevation changes, creating expansive flat areas broken only by occasional low ridges and shallow wadis (dry riverbeds). These wadis represent ancient drainage channels that occasionally carry water during rare rainfall events, creating natural depressions in the otherwise level landscape. Moving eastward from Tunaydah, the terrain gradually rises as it approaches the Red Sea Hills mountain range, which forms a more dramatic topographical feature on the horizon. However, the transition is gradual, with the land maintaining its relatively flat character for many kilometers before encountering significant elevation changes.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The extensive flat desert plains stretching in all directions from Tunaydah present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most promising areas lie to the north, east, and south of the settlement, where vast expanses of level terrain provide ideal conditions for solar array deployment. The areas immediately north and northeast of Tunaydah offer particularly suitable conditions, featuring stable sandy substrate with minimal rock outcroppings. These zones benefit from consistent flat topography that would require minimal grading or site preparation for solar panel installation. The substrate in these areas appears well-drained and stable, reducing concerns about seasonal water accumulation or ground instability. The southern approaches also present favorable conditions, with broad flat areas extending toward the desert interior. These locations offer the advantage of being further from the Nile River and its associated agricultural activities, reducing potential conflicts with other land uses while maintaining the beneficial flat topography essential for efficient solar installations. The eastern areas, while still topographically suitable, begin to show more varied terrain as they approach the foothills of the Red Sea range. However, the lower elevations of these eastern zones still provide workable flat areas for solar development, particularly in the immediate vicinity of Tunaydah where the desert floor remains consistently level. All of these identified areas benefit from the region's arid climate conditions, which minimize vegetation cover and reduce ongoing maintenance requirements for solar installations. The stable desert environment, combined with the favorable flat topography, creates ideal conditions for large-scale photovoltaic development across multiple directions from the Tunaydah area.

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.