Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar, Iraq, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 31.0585, 46.251, presents a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The city experiences substantial solar potential throughout the year, with varying levels of electricity output across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Nasiriyah peaks during the summer months, with an impressive output of 8.31 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.13 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.38 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.85 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Nasiriyah is an excellent location for solar PV installations, with particularly high potential from late spring through early autumn. Even during the winter months, the region still maintains a respectable level of solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Nasiriyah, Dhi Qar, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 27 degrees facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Nasiriyah's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Dust storms: The region is prone to dust storms, which can significantly reduce solar panel efficiency by coating them with a layer of fine particles.
• High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months can slightly decrease solar panel efficiency.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is essential. Installing panels with self-cleaning technologies or applying anti-soiling coatings can help combat dust accumulation. Additionally, ensuring proper ventilation and using heat-resistant solar panels can help maintain efficiency during hot periods.

Despite these challenges, Nasiriyah remains an ideal location for solar PV installations. With its abundant sunshine and long daylight hours, particularly during spring and summer, the city offers excellent potential for sustainable energy production through solar power.

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 Nasiriyah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.0585, Longitude: 46.251 (Nasiriyah, 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 Nasiriyah, Iraq

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nasiriyah, Iraq (Lat/Long 31.0585, 46.251) 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 Nasiriyah, 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 Nasiriyah, 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 Nasiriyah, 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 Nasiriyah, 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 Nasiriyah, Iraq

The landscape surrounding Nasiriyah, Iraq, is predominantly flat and low-lying, characteristic of the Mesopotamian Plain. This ancient region, situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, features a vast expanse of alluvial plains with minimal elevation changes. The area is part of the larger Iraqi lowlands, where the terrain is generally featureless and open. In the immediate vicinity of Nasiriyah, the topography is marked by the meandering course of the Euphrates River, which flows through the city. The river's presence has shaped the local geography, creating a network of natural and man-made waterways, including canals and irrigation channels. These water features are interspersed throughout the otherwise level terrain, providing vital resources for agriculture and human settlement. To the east and west of Nasiriyah, the landscape continues its flat character, with occasional subtle undulations. The soil in this region is primarily composed of silt and clay deposits, left behind by centuries of river flooding. This fertile alluvium has made the area historically important for agriculture, despite the challenges posed by the arid climate.

Potential for Large-Scale Solar PV

The areas surrounding Nasiriyah offer significant potential for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations due to several favorable factors: Firstly, the vast, open plains to the west and southwest of Nasiriyah present ideal conditions for solar farms. These areas receive abundant sunlight throughout the year, with minimal natural obstructions to cast shadows on solar panels. The flat terrain also simplifies construction and maintenance of large solar arrays. Secondly, the regions to the south and southeast of Nasiriyah, extending towards the border with Kuwait, are particularly well-suited for solar PV development. These areas are characterized by expansive desert landscapes with little to no vegetation, reducing concerns about land use conflicts or environmental impact. The arid climate of the region, while challenging for agriculture, is advantageous for solar energy production. The lack of frequent cloud cover and rainfall ensures consistent solar radiation, maximizing the potential energy output of PV installations. However, it's important to note that while the topography and climate are favorable, other factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, accessibility for construction and maintenance, and local environmental considerations would need to be carefully evaluated when selecting specific sites for large-scale solar projects in the vicinity of Nasiriyah.

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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.