Solar PV Analysis of As Samawah, Iraq
As Samawah, Al Muthanna Governorate, Iraq is a decent location for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems year-round. The amount of electricity produced varies depending on the season, with summer and spring being the most productive times of the year.
In more simple terms, if you have a 1 kilowatt (kW) solar panel system installed in As Samawah, Al Muthanna Governorate, you can expect it to produce an average of about 8.18 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and about 7.09 kWh per day in spring. This means that your solar panels will be working quite well during these seasons as they are producing a good amount of electricity.
However, during autumn and winter, the output drops to around 5.32 kWh/day and 3.87 kWh/day respectively due to fewer hours of sunlight and lower sun intensity typical for these seasons.
To get the most out of your solar PV system throughout the year at this location, it's ideal to tilt your panels at an angle facing south by about 27 degrees from horizontal level. This position allows them to capture maximum sunlight over different parts of the year.
Now let's talk about potential factors that could affect solar production in As Samawah.
Like many other places located within Northern Sub Tropics region where intense heat can occur especially during summer months may lead dust storms or sand accumulation on panels which can decrease their efficiency by blocking sunlight reaching them.
Therefore when installing solar panels here one should consider measures like regular cleaning maintenance schedules or even automated cleaning systems if possible to keep off dust and dirt from panel surfaces ensuring they work efficiently all time round.
Also high temperatures might reduce efficiency slightly but generally speaking there is enough sunshine throughout much part of year making it worthwhile investment overall despite seasonal fluctuations weather related challenges which can be managed properly with right planning precautions put into place while installation phase itself.
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 23 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 As Samawah
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.3333, Longitude: 45.2989 (As Samawah, 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 As Samawah, Iraq
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in As Samawah, Iraq (Lat/Long 31.3333, 45.2989) 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 As Samawah, 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 As Samawah, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° South in Summer | 36° South in Autumn | 46° 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 As Samawah, 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 As Samawah, Iraq.
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 As Samawah, Iraq
As Samawah, Iraq is located in the southern part of the country and is characterized by a desert environment. The topography around As Samawah is relatively flat with minimal vegetation, due to its location within the Arabian Desert. The region experiences high temperatures throughout most of the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy production.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would be those with vast expanses of flat land that receive high amounts of sunlight annually. Given these criteria, regions to the west and southwest of As Samawah could be particularly suitable as they are largely uninhabited desert areas. These locations would minimize potential conflicts over land use and take advantage of maximum sun exposure.
However, several factors should be considered before setting up a large-scale solar PV project such as accessibility to grid infrastructure for power transmission, availability of water resources for panel cleaning (if necessary), and potential environmental impacts on local biodiversity or dust storm events which may affect panel efficiency.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 11th of July 2024
Last Updated: Friday 12th of July 2024
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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.
