Solar PV Analysis of Baqubah, Iraq
Baqubah, Diyālá, Iraq, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is a pretty good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity produced by solar panels varies by season. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can generate about 8.32 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This decreases to around 5.22 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to about 3.69 kWh/day in winter but increases again to approximately 6.98 kWh/day during spring.
The best time to produce solar power at this location would be during summer when sunlight is most abundant followed by spring and then autumn with winter being the least ideal due to shorter daylight hours and potential cloud cover.
For maximum efficiency from your solar panels throughout the year at this location, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of 29 degrees which aligns well with the sun's path across the sky over Baqubah.
There might be some local factors that could affect your ability to generate electricity from solar power here though it depends on their significance or impact level:
1) Dust and Sandstorms: Baqubah is susceptible to dust storms especially during summer months which can block sunlight reaching your panels reducing their output significantly.
Preventative Measures: Regular cleaning of panels will help maintain their efficiency; automated cleaning systems are available that can clean dust off after a storm.
2) High Temperatures: Solar cells become less efficient as they heat up so extreme temperatures experienced in Iraq may reduce overall performance.
Preventative Measures: Install cooling mechanisms or ensure adequate ventilation around panels; using high-temperature tolerant panel models could also help mitigate this issue.
3) Political instability & Security issues: Unfortunately, these remain significant concerns within Iraq potentially affecting installation & maintenance operations plus risk vandalism/theft.
Preventive Measures: Secure installations properly; consider insurance coverage against such risks where feasible.
Overall, while Baqubah does have some challenges, with the right set-up and maintenance it can be a very effective location for solar power generation.
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 Baqubah
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.7568, Longitude: 44.6124 (Baqubah, 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 29° South in Baqubah, Iraq
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baqubah, Iraq (Lat/Long 33.7568, 44.6124) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Baqubah, 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 Baqubah, Iraq. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° South in Summer | 38° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 26° 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 Baqubah, 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 Baqubah, 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 Baqubah, Iraq
Baqubah, Iraq is located in the Diyala Governorate and is generally characterized by a semi-arid climate with flat to gently rolling terrain. It lies near the Diyala River, which can contribute to some fertile plains in the surrounding areas.
As for solar PV installations, they typically require large tracts of relatively flat land with high solar irradiance. The desert areas to the west of Baqubah could potentially be suitable due to their relatively flat topography and high levels of sunlight throughout the year. However, more detailed site-specific studies would be required before any final decisions are made as factors such as local weather conditions, soil stability, access to transmission lines and environmental impacts should also be considered.
In addition, rooftops within Baqubah city itself could also serve as potential sites for smaller-scale solar PV installations. This approach has been successful in many urban environments around the world where land availability is limited but rooftop space is plentiful.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 10th 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.
