Solar Energy Potential in Amarah, Maysan, Iraq

Amarah, Maysan, Iraq, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 31.8355, 47.1479, presents a favorable location for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout most of the year. The solar electricity output varies significantly with the seasons, creating distinct opportunities and challenges for energy production. The summer months deliver exceptional solar performance with an average of 8.32kWh of electricity per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This makes summer the peak production season when solar systems can generate substantial surplus energy. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 6.99kWh/day per kW installed. This strong performance makes spring an excellent time for reliable solar generation as the sun's path becomes increasingly favorable. Autumn sees a moderate decline in production to 5.38kWh/day per kW, still providing reasonable energy output as the sun's angle becomes less optimal but remains workable for good energy generation. Winter represents the challenging season for solar production in Amarah, Maysan, with output dropping to 3.83kWh/day per kW. While this is significantly lower than summer values, it still provides usable energy and is higher than winter production in many other global locations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Amarah, Maysan, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 27 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal variations in the sun's position.

Environmental Challenges

Several significant environmental factors can impact solar production in Amarah:

• Dust and sand storms are common in this region and can substantially reduce panel efficiency by creating a layer that blocks sunlight. Regular cleaning systems, either manual or automated, are essential maintenance requirements.
• Extreme summer temperatures, which frequently exceed 45°C (113°F), can reduce solar panel efficiency as PV cells operate less efficiently in intense heat. Installing panels with adequate ventilation space behind them and using temperature-resistant models can help mitigate this issue.
• Occasional water scarcity may complicate panel cleaning operations. Implementing water-efficient cleaning methods or dry-cleaning technologies is advisable.

Despite these challenges, Amarah's location offers excellent solar potential, particularly from spring through autumn. With proper system design, including the recommended 27-degree tilt angle, and regular maintenance to address environmental factors, solar PV systems in this location can provide substantial clean energy throughout the year.

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 36 locations across Iraq. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Iraq by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Amarah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.8355, Longitude: 47.1479 (Amarah, Iraq), 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 27° South in Amarah, Iraq

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Amarah, Iraq (Lat/Long 31.8355, 47.1479) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Amarah, Iraq

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 Amarah, Iraq. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	47° South in Winter	24° 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 Amarah, Iraq

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 Amarah, Iraq.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Amarah, Iraq

The landscape surrounding Amarah, Iraq, presents a predominantly flat topography characteristic of the Mesopotamian Plain. Located in southeastern Iraq, Amarah sits within the vast alluvial plains created by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The city itself is situated along the Tigris River, which meanders through this region, creating a fertile corridor amidst the otherwise arid environment. The terrain around Amarah features minimal elevation changes, with the land gently sloping from northwest to southeast following the general flow direction of the Tigris. This flatness extends for considerable distances in all directions, interrupted occasionally by shallow depressions that may seasonally fill with water during periods of higher precipitation or river flooding. The elevation typically ranges between 7 to 15 meters above sea level throughout much of the surrounding area.

Marshland Influence

To the southeast of Amarah lie the remnants of the historic Mesopotamian Marshes, once one of the world's largest wetland ecosystems. While significantly reduced from their historical extent due to drainage projects and dam construction upstream, these marshlands still influence the local topography. The transition between the dry plains and these wetland areas creates subtle variations in the landscape, with slightly lower elevations and occasional seasonal waterlogging in areas closer to the marsh boundaries.

Soil Composition

The soils around Amarah consist primarily of alluvial deposits carried and laid down by the Tigris River over millennia. These soils vary from silty loams to clay-rich deposits, with salt accumulation becoming more pronounced in areas further from the active river channel. This soil composition reflects the region's geological history as part of the ancient floodplain of Mesopotamia.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the areas west and southwest of Amarah present particularly favorable conditions. These regions feature extensive tracts of flat, uninterrupted terrain with minimal vegetation cover and natural obstacles. The land in these directions gradually transitions to more desert-like conditions with less agricultural activity, making them less valuable for food production and thus more appropriate for alternative land uses like energy generation. The northwestern areas, while similarly flat, tend to have more agricultural development along the river corridors. The southeastern regions, with their proximity to marsh remnants, may present challenges related to seasonal moisture and potential flooding, making them less ideal for solar infrastructure. The southwestern desert plains, extending toward Nasiriyah, offer perhaps the most promising locations for solar development. These areas combine advantageous topographical features (flat, stable terrain) with minimal competing land uses and reduced risk of seasonal flooding. The soil composition in these areas—generally consisting of compacted sandy and silty materials—provides good stability for mounting structures while requiring relatively straightforward site preparation. Additionally, these southwestern regions typically experience less dust storm activity compared to areas further west toward the Arabian Desert, which represents an important consideration for solar panel efficiency and maintenance requirements in this region of Iraq.

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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.