Samarra, Salah ad Din, Iraq presents a moderately good location for solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation that affects its year-round viability. Located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 34.1931, 43.8874, this region experiences substantial differences in solar output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong summer performance with solar panels generating 8.53kWh per day per kW of installed capacity during the summer months. Spring also provides excellent conditions with 7.00kWh/day per kW, making these the ideal times for solar energy generation at this site. However, the location faces challenges during cooler months. Autumn production drops to 5.16kWh/day per kW, while winter sees the lowest output at just 3.62kWh/day per kW. This represents a significant seasonal swing that could impact the economic viability of solar installations. For optimal year-round energy capture, solar panels at this location should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 29 degrees facing South. This angle maximizes total annual production by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors in Samarra could significantly impede solar production and require careful consideration during installation:

• Dust and sandstorms: Iraq's arid climate generates frequent dust storms that can coat solar panels, dramatically reducing their efficiency
• Extreme heat: While abundant sunshine is beneficial, excessive temperatures can actually decrease solar panel efficiency
• Security concerns: The region's political instability may affect maintenance schedules and equipment security
• Water scarcity: Limited water availability complicates regular panel cleaning requirements

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be implemented: Regular cleaning systems are essential, potentially using automated dry-cleaning mechanisms or minimal water cleaning systems to combat dust accumulation. Installing panels with adequate ventilation and spacing helps manage heat buildup that reduces efficiency. Choosing high-quality panels with anti-soiling coatings can reduce dust adhesion, while robust mounting systems protect against wind damage from storms. Battery storage systems become particularly valuable given the seasonal variation, allowing excess summer production to offset lower winter output. Security measures including remote monitoring systems and protected installations help ensure consistent operation. Working with local maintenance teams familiar with regional conditions ensures proper ongoing care of the solar installation.

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 Samarra

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.1931, Longitude: 43.8874 (Samarra, 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 Samarra, Iraq

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Samarra, Iraq (Lat/Long 34.1931, 43.8874) 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 Samarra, 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 Samarra, 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	27° 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 Samarra, 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 Samarra, 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 Samarra, Iraq

Topography Around Samarra

Samarra sits in the heart of central Iraq along the banks of the Tigris River, positioned within the broader Mesopotamian plain. The city occupies relatively flat terrain at an elevation of approximately 60 meters above sea level, characteristic of the alluvial landscape that defines much of this region. The Tigris River flows from northwest to southeast through the area, creating a natural corridor of slightly lower elevation surrounded by gently undulating plains.

The immediate vicinity of Samarra features predominantly flat to gently rolling topography, with elevation changes typically remaining within 20-30 meters across several kilometers. This terrain represents part of the extensive sedimentary deposits laid down by the Tigris and Euphrates river systems over millennia. The landscape consists primarily of agricultural land interspersed with areas of desert scrubland, particularly as one moves away from the river valley.

To the west and southwest of Samarra, the terrain gradually transitions into the broader Iraqi desert plateau, where the land becomes increasingly arid and sparsely vegetated. These areas maintain relatively flat characteristics but with a slight upward gradient moving away from the river valley. The eastern side of the region also features similar flat plains, though these areas tend to retain more agricultural activity due to proximity to irrigation networks connected to the Tigris.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The flat desert areas extending west and southwest of Samarra present the most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These zones offer several key advantages including minimal topographical obstacles, reduced competition with agricultural land use, and natural drainage patterns that minimize flood risk. The relatively uniform elevation across these western areas would significantly reduce grading and site preparation costs for solar installations.

Areas located 10-20 kilometers west of the city center would be particularly well-suited for solar development. This distance provides sufficient separation from urban areas while maintaining reasonable proximity to existing electrical infrastructure. The terrain in these locations remains consistently flat with minimal vegetation, reducing both environmental concerns and land clearing requirements.

The southwestern quadrant of the region also offers excellent potential, where the landscape transitions more definitively into desert conditions. These areas benefit from reduced dust accumulation compared to actively farmed regions and present fewer conflicts with existing land uses. The stable geological conditions typical of this sedimentary plain provide reliable foundations for solar mounting systems.

Areas immediately adjacent to the Tigris River valley would be less suitable for large-scale solar development due to higher land values associated with agricultural productivity, potential flooding concerns during seasonal high water periods, and competition with existing irrigation infrastructure. The most productive solar installations would likely be positioned on the elevated plains away from the river corridor, where land costs remain lower and environmental conditions more stable.

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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.