Solar PV Analysis of Tabriz, Iran
Tabriz, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, situated in the Northern Temperate Zone, is a fairly good location for generating solar power throughout the year. However, its effectiveness varies with each season due to changes in sunlight intensity and duration.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 8.04 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels - this is when production will be at its peak because of longer daylight hours and stronger sunlight.
In autumn and spring, generation drops slightly to around 4.54 kWh/day and 5.94 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels; these are still decent amounts but not as high as during the summer months.
Winter sees the lowest yield with only about 3.07 kWh/day generated per kW of installed solar panels due to shorter daylight hours and weaker sunlight.
For optimal results from your solar installation in Tabriz throughout the year, it's recommended that your fixed panel installations are tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing South. This position maximizes exposure to sun rays over different times of the year thereby maximizing total annual energy production.
As far as environmental or local factors affecting solar production go, Tabriz experiences occasional dust storms which could cover up your panels reducing their efficiency by blocking out sunlight temporarily until they are cleaned off again; this isn't a major issue but something worth noting nonetheless.
There's also snowfall during winter which could potentially cover up your panels completely until cleared off - so you might want to consider installing them at an angle that allows snow slide-off easier or plan for regular cleaning during these months if heavy snowfall is common there.
To ensure maximum energy generation despite these factors: regular maintenance including cleaning dust or snow off your panels can help keep them working efficiently all through the year regardless of seasonal changes or weather challenges specific to this region.
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 Tabriz
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.0838, Longitude: 46.2947 (Tabriz, 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 33° South in Tabriz, Iran
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Tabriz, Iran (Lat/Long 38.0838, 46.2947) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Tabriz, 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 Tabriz, Iran. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° South in Summer | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 30° 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 Tabriz, 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 Tabriz, 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 Tabriz, Iran
Tabriz is located in the northwestern part of Iran, in the East Azerbaijan province. The city lies in a valley surrounded by hills and mountains, including Sahand Mountain to the south and Eynali Mountain to the north. The elevation varies significantly throughout this region due to its mountainous terrain.
Despite these geographical features, Tabriz has an abundant amount of sunshine throughout most of the year which makes it suitable for solar power generation. However, large-scale solar PV installations require relatively flat areas for optimal operation and efficiency.
Considering this, areas outside of Tabriz that are less mountainous or hilly would be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations. These could include plains or agricultural lands with lower elevations where there are fewer obstructions to sunlight.
Moreover, regions towards the south and southeast of Tabriz might be more advantageous due to their relatively flatter topography compared to northern parts which are dominated by high peaks like Eynali Mountain.
However, other factors such as land availability, proximity to transmission lines or substations (for grid connection), local climate conditions (such as dust storms that can affect panel efficiency), regulatory considerations etc., should also be considered while choosing sites for large-scale solar PV projects.
It's important any project respects local environmental regulations and does not harm biodiversity or fertile agricultural lands. Therefore a detailed feasibility study including site survey would need to be conducted before deciding on exact locations.
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: Monday 17th of June 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.
