Solar PV Analysis of Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
The location at Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia is quite ideal for generating solar energy year-round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons here are often defined more by wet and dry periods rather than large temperature fluctuations.
The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly across different seasons. In summer, you can expect to generate about 5.63 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kW of solar you have installed. This output increases to 6.46 kWh/day in autumn and further rises to 6.75 kWh/day in winter before peaking at 7.26 kWh/day during spring.
This means that while all parts of the year are good for generating solar power at this location, spring would be an especially productive time due to receiving the highest daily energy output from your installed solar panels.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels towards an angle of 12 degrees South will help maximize your total annual production from your solar photovoltaic system.
However, there could be local factors such as environmental or weather conditions that might affect the efficiency of your solar production here. For instance, during heavy rainfalls or cloudy days which are common during wet seasons, less sunlight reaches the panels hence reducing their productivity.
To mitigate these challenges and ensure greater energy production throughout these periods, consider installing a larger number of panels so as to capture more light when it's available or using advanced inverters which help maximize power extraction under varying light conditions.
Also regular cleaning and maintenance practices should be carried out on your PV systems particularly after dust storms or bird droppings which might block sunlight reaching the cells thereby affecting their performance negatively.
In conclusion: While there may be some minor hindrances due to seasonal changes and other environmental factors; overall Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia is a great place for solar energy production throughout the year.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 24 locations across Ethiopia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Ethiopia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Debre Tabor
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 11.8529, Longitude: 38.0174 (Debre Tabor, Ethiopia), 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 12° South in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Debre Tabor, Ethiopia (Lat/Long 11.8529, 38.0174) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 12° 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 Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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 Debre Tabor, Ethiopia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 12° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4° North in Summer | 18° South in Autumn | 28° South in Winter | 6° 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 Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
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 Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Debre Tabor, Ethiopia
Debre Tabor is located in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. The topography around Debre Tabor is characterized by highlands, with an average elevation of about 2,706 meters above sea level. The area is surrounded by mountains and plateaus, interspersed with valleys and rivers.
The region has a subtropical highland climate which means it receives ample sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar power generation. However, due to the hilly terrain and mountainous areas, not all places may be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations.
Flat and open areas would be best suited for large-scale solar PV installations as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and make installation easier. These could possibly be found in valley regions or cleared areas on some plateaus.
Another factor to consider would be proximity to existing infrastructure like roads or power lines that can facilitate easy transportation of materials and connection to the grid.
Specific locations for such installations should however only be finalized after detailed site surveys including assessment of land use patterns (to avoid fertile agricultural lands), biodiversity impact assessments etc., have been conducted.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 21st of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
