Zagazig, Sharqia, Egypt, located at 30.5868° N, 31.5026° E, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This Northern Sub-Tropical location experiences significant variations in solar energy production across seasons, presenting both opportunities and challenges for solar PV installations.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy output in Zagazig fluctuates considerably across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 8.45 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 7.53 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease to 5.62 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 4.01 kWh/day/kW.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The most ideal times for solar energy production in Zagazig are during the summer months, typically from June to August, when days are longest and sunlight is most intense. Spring, particularly from March to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar generation. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region still receives sufficient sunlight to make year-round solar energy production viable.

Panel Tilt Angle for Maximum Efficiency

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Zagazig, Sharqia, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 26 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the sun's changing position across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Zagazig's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:

• Dust and sand: The region's arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, reducing their efficiency.
• High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months may slightly decrease panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning of solar panels is essential to remove dust and sand buildup. Additionally, installing panels with proper ventilation and using heat-resistant materials can help maintain efficiency during high-temperature periods. Despite these challenges, Zagazig remains an excellent location for solar energy production, with its abundant sunlight and relatively stable climate providing a solid foundation for sustainable energy generation.

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 Zagazig

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.5868, Longitude: 31.5026 (Zagazig, 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 Zagazig, Egypt

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Zagazig, Egypt (Lat/Long 30.5868, 31.5026) 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 Zagazig, 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 Zagazig, 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 Zagazig, 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 Zagazig, 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 Zagazig, Egypt

The topography around Zagazig, Egypt, is characterized by its relatively flat landscape, typical of the Nile Delta region. Zagazig is situated in the eastern part of the delta, where the terrain is predominantly low-lying and level. The area is crisscrossed by numerous irrigation canals and channels that branch off from the Nile River, creating a patchwork of agricultural fields and settlements. The elevation in and around Zagazig is generally close to sea level, with only slight variations in height across the region. This flat terrain is a result of thousands of years of sediment deposition by the Nile River, which has created a fertile alluvial plain. The landscape is mostly devoid of significant natural hills or valleys, making it ideal for agriculture and urban development.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Zagazig for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the surrounding desert regions to the east and northeast would be most suitable. These areas, part of the Eastern Desert, offer several advantages for solar energy production: Firstly, the desert landscape provides vast expanses of open, flat terrain that can accommodate large solar arrays without the need for extensive land clearing or preparation. The absence of vegetation and human settlements in these areas minimizes potential conflicts with agricultural or urban land use. Secondly, the desert climate in this region is characterized by high levels of solar irradiation throughout the year, with minimal cloud cover and rainfall. This consistent exposure to sunlight is ideal for maximizing solar energy production. The areas to the west and south of Zagazig, while also relatively flat, are less suitable for large-scale solar PV due to their intensive agricultural use and higher population density. The fertile Nile Delta lands are crucial for Egypt's food production and are therefore better preserved for farming activities. It's worth noting that while the desert areas offer the best potential for solar PV, careful consideration must be given to factors such as access to the electrical grid, water resources for panel cleaning, and the environmental impact on desert ecosystems. Additionally, measures to mitigate the effects of sand and dust on solar panels would need to be implemented to ensure optimal performance in the desert 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.