Solar PV Analysis of Karaj, Iran
The location at Karaj, Alborz Province, Iran is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies by season. In Summer, you can expect about 8.33 kilowatt-hours per day, which is pretty high. This drops to around 5.11 in Autumn and goes down further to 3.59 in Winter, which is the least productive time of year for solar power here due to fewer daylight hours and possibly more cloud cover or foggy weather conditions too. It then increases again to about 6.65 in Spring.
To get the most out of the sun's rays all year round at this location, it's best to tilt your solar panels towards an angle of 31 degrees facing South if they are fixed and cannot be adjusted throughout different seasons.
As far as local factors that could affect how much energy your solar panels generate here; Iran does experience some dust storms especially during warmer months which could cover your panels with dust reducing their efficiency significantly until cleaned off again - so regular cleaning maintenance would be beneficial if installing a system here because clean panels perform better than dirty ones! Also note that while summers are long and sunny providing great potential for high yield from PV systems; winters are shorter with less sunlight hours reducing overall production capacity during these colder months.
In summary: Karaj has good potential for harnessing solar energy albeit with some seasonal fluctuations and minor environmental challenges such as dust storms that require preventative measures like regular cleaning maintenance on installed systems for optimal performance all year round.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 29 locations across Iran. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Iran by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Karaj
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.8359, Longitude: 51.0025 (Karaj, Iran), 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 31° South in Karaj, Iran
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Karaj, Iran (Lat/Long 35.8359, 51.0025) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Karaj, Iran
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 Karaj, Iran. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 51° South in Winter | 28° 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 Karaj, Iran
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 Karaj, Iran.
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 Karaj, Iran
Karaj is located in the northern part of Iran, near the Alborz mountain range. The region has a varied topography with mountains to the north and flat plains to the south and east. The area around Karaj is characterized by its rugged terrain, high peaks, valleys and rivers.
The most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would be on the flatter plains towards the south and east of Karaj where there's less obstruction from mountains or hills. These regions receive ample sunlight throughout most of the year making them ideal for solar power generation.
It's also important to consider accessibility, proximity to electrical grids or infrastructure for energy transmission when choosing locations for large-scale solar projects. In this regard, areas closer to urban centers like Tehran (to the East) might have an advantage.
However, a thorough feasibility study considering all factors including land availability, environmental impact etc., should be conducted before deciding on specific sites for such projects.
Iran solar PV Stats as a country
Iran ranks 52nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 456 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.40% of Iran's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 40th in the world). Each year Iran is generating 5 Watts from solar PV per capita (Iran ranks 80th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Iran?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Iran. The Iranian government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the development of renewable energy sources, including solar energy. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives such as low-interest loans. Additionally, the government has set up a Renewable Energy Organization (SUNA) which provides technical assistance and support for businesses interested in installing solar systems.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Iran? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 23rd 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.
