Solar PV Analysis of Mashhad, Iran
Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran, is a fairly good location for generating solar power throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels varies with each season: in Summer you can expect to generate about 8.52 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed; in Autumn this drops to around 5.10 kWh/day; in Winter it's lower still at around 3.50 kWh/day; and then it rises again in Spring to about 6.24 kWh/day.
The best time of year for generating solar power here is during the summer months when the sun is out longer and more directly overhead. However, even during winter there's still a decent amount of sunlight available for producing electricity.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be fixed at an angle tilted 31 degrees towards the South. This allows them to catch as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of day and seasons.
As far as local factors go that could affect your ability to generate solar power here, Mashhad does have some environmental and weather conditions that might interfere with production levels occasionally - things like dust storms or heavy cloud cover can reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels. In order to combat these problems, you could consider installing equipment such as dust shields or automated cleaning systems which help keep your panels clean and unobstructed so they can capture more light.
In conclusion, while there are certain challenges associated with using solar energy in Mashhad due to its seasonal variations in sunlight availability and potential weather-related issues like dust storms or clouds blocking the sun sometimes - overall it remains a viable option worth considering if you're interested in renewable energy sources.
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 Mashhad
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.3006, Longitude: 59.5904 (Mashhad, 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 Mashhad, Iran
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mashhad, Iran (Lat/Long 36.3006, 59.5904) 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 Mashhad, 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 Mashhad, 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 | 41° 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 Mashhad, 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 Mashhad, 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 Mashhad, Iran
Mashhad, Iran is located in the northeastern part of the country, near the borders with Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. The city is situated in a valley between two mountain ranges: Binalood to the west and Hezar Masjed to the east. The region's topography consists mainly of mountains, hills, plateaus and some flatlands.
The area around Mashhad experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters. It receives abundant sunlight throughout most of the year making it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, flat lands or plateaus would be ideal due to easier installation and maintenance processes. There are several such areas around Mashhad including regions towards south where terrain is relatively flatter compared to mountainous north.
However, specific site selection for large scale solar projects should also consider other factors like proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid-connected systems), land use restrictions or protections (like agricultural lands or protected natural areas), local weather patterns etc.
It's also worth noting that Iran has been actively promoting renewable energy development including solar power as part of its national energy strategy which could provide additional support 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!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 30th of May 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.
