Solar PV Analysis of Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz, Fars, Iran, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels depends on how much sunlight they receive. In Shiraz, Fars, during summer months you can expect to generate about 8.43 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to about 6.12 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to around 4.58 kWh/day during winter months due to shorter days and less intense sunlight. However, it increases again in spring up to roughly 7.41 kWh/day.
The best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during the longer daylight hours of spring and summer when sunlight is more intense.
If you're installing fixed panel solar systems in Shiraz, Fars, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 26 degrees towards south for maximum exposure to sun throughout the year.
In terms of local factors that could impede solar production at this location; Shiraz experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters which is generally favourable for solar production but dust storms common in arid areas could pose a challenge by covering panels with dust or sand thereby reducing their efficiency.
To deal with this issue, regular cleaning and maintenance should be carried out on your panels especially after storms or high winds have passed through your area which would ensure greater energy production from your system over time.
Additionally, any potential shading caused by buildings or vegetation should also be taken into account when choosing where exactly on your property to install your system as shadows cast onto panels can greatly reduce their output capacity.
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 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 Shiraz
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 29.6106, Longitude: 52.5245 (Shiraz, 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 26° South in Shiraz, Iran
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shiraz, Iran (Lat/Long 29.6106, 52.5245) 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 Shiraz, 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 Shiraz, Iran. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13° South in Summer | 34° South in Autumn | 45° South in Winter | 22° 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 Shiraz, 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 Shiraz, 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 Shiraz, Iran
Shiraz, Iran is located in the southwestern part of the country and is surrounded by hills and mountains. The city sits in a valley between two mountain ranges - the Zagros Mountains to the north and west, and the Barez Mountains to the south. The region's topography includes plateaus, plains, valleys, and mountainous areas.
The area around Shiraz has a semi-arid climate with plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year. This makes it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. The plains around Shiraz would be ideal for such installations due to their flatness which allows for easy installation of panels.
Additionally, there are vast desert areas towards east of Shiraz like Dasht-e Lut which receive high levels of sunlight throughout the year making them another potential location for large-scale solar power projects.
However, it's important to consider other factors such as accessibility (for construction and maintenance), proximity to power grids or consumers (to minimize transmission losses), land availability/ownership issues etc., before deciding on specific sites for large scale solar PV installations.
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: Saturday 17th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
