Solar PV Analysis of Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Iraq
Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Dhi Qar, Iraq presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Sub Tropics position.
The solar energy output at this location shows strong summer performance at 8.45kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it the peak generation season. Spring also delivers solid production at 7.36kWh per day per kW, representing the second-best period for solar generation.
However, winter months present challenges with output dropping to just 4.11kWh per day per kW, while autumn generates 5.62kWh per day per kW. This creates a substantial seasonal gap where winter production is less than half of summer output.
Optimal Installation Setup
For fixed panel installations at Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Dhi Qar, the ideal tilt angle is 27 degrees facing South to maximize total year-round solar production. This angle is calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel positioning, and weighting these factors against actual solar irradiance data throughout the year to account for Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental and Weather Challenges
Several significant factors at this Iraqi location can impede solar production and require careful consideration during installation:
- Desert dust storms (haboobs) - Common in this region and can dramatically reduce panel efficiency by coating surfaces with fine sand particles
- Extreme heat - High summer temperatures can reduce panel efficiency and accelerate equipment degradation
- Sand accumulation - Persistent fine sand deposits on panels reduce light transmission
- Limited water availability - Cleaning panels regularly becomes challenging in arid conditions
Preventative Measures
To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective. Installing panels with steeper tilt angles than the calculated optimum can help sand and dust slide off more easily, though this may slightly reduce peak efficiency.
Implementing automated cleaning systems or scheduling regular manual cleaning becomes essential, particularly after dust storm events. Anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces can reduce dust adhesion and make cleaning more effective.
Choosing panels and inverters rated for extreme temperatures ensures better performance and longevity. Adequate ventilation space beneath panels helps prevent overheating, while robust mounting systems must withstand both high winds and thermal expansion.
Installing monitoring systems allows for quick identification of performance drops due to soiling or equipment issues, enabling prompt maintenance responses to maintain optimal energy generation 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.909, Longitude: 46.196 (Qaryat Ash Shabakah, 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Iraq
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Iraq (Lat/Long 30.909, 46.196) 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, 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 | 35° 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, 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 Qaryat Ash Shabakah, Iraq
Topographical Overview of Qaryat Ash Shabakah Region
The area surrounding Qaryat Ash Shabakah in southern Iraq is characterized by relatively flat terrain that forms part of the broader Mesopotamian plain. This region sits within the alluvial lowlands created by the Tigris and Euphrates river systems over millennia, resulting in generally level ground with gentle undulations. The landscape consists primarily of desert and semi-arid terrain, with elevations remaining fairly consistent across the immediate vicinity.
The topography displays the typical features of the southern Iraqi plains, where the land gradually slopes toward the southeast in the direction of the Persian Gulf. Local variations in elevation are minimal, creating an expansive flatland broken occasionally by low ridges, shallow depressions, and ancient river channels. The soil composition varies between sandy and clay-rich areas, reflecting the historical influence of river sediment deposits and wind-blown materials from surrounding desert regions.
Water features in the immediate area are limited, though the region lies within the broader influence zone of the Mesopotamian river system. Seasonal water channels and irrigation networks create some variation in the otherwise uniform landscape, while salt flats and sabkhas (salt-encrusted depressions) appear intermittently across the terrain.
Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development
The extensive flat terrain surrounding Qaryat Ash Shabakah presents excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The most suitable areas lie to the west and southwest of the settlement, where the landscape remains consistently level and largely undeveloped. These zones offer the advantage of minimal grading requirements and reduced construction costs due to the naturally even topography.
The desert areas extending northward from the settlement also provide favorable conditions for solar development. These locations benefit from stable ground conditions and minimal vegetation coverage, reducing both environmental impact and land preparation costs. The absence of significant topographical obstacles means that large solar arrays can be installed with optimal spacing and orientation.
Areas to the east and southeast, while also relatively flat, may present some challenges due to proximity to agricultural zones and irrigation infrastructure. However, the marginal lands between cultivated areas and pure desert terrain could serve as excellent compromise locations for solar installations, particularly where the soil quality is too poor for effective agriculture.
The consistent elevation and minimal shading from natural features across the entire region mean that solar installations would face few topographical constraints. The main considerations for site selection would involve proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, land ownership patterns, and avoiding areas with seasonal flooding potential from irrigation overflow or rare precipitation events.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 8th of August 2025
Last Updated: Saturday 9th of August 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.
