Wāsiţ, Iraq, located at 32.3833° N, 45.225° E in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The site experiences significant seasonal variations in solar energy production, with peak output during the summer months.

Seasonal Solar Energy Production

Solar energy production at Wāsiţ varies considerably throughout the year. Summer yields the highest output at 8.32 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows with 7.08 kWh/day, while autumn sees a decrease to 5.28 kWh/day. Winter experiences the lowest production at 3.71 kWh/day per kW installed. The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the region's strong seasonal pattern. This variance is primarily due to changes in day length and sun angle throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Wāsiţ, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 28 degrees facing south. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight across all seasons, balancing the high summer sun with the lower winter sun angle.

Best Times for Solar Generation

The most productive period for solar energy generation in Wāsiţ is from late spring through early fall. During these months, longer days and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar output. Summer, in particular, stands out as the peak season for solar energy production.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Wāsiţ's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and sand: The region's arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. 2. High temperatures: Extreme heat during summer months may slightly decrease panel efficiency. To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be implemented. Additionally, choosing high-quality, heat-resistant solar panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help maintain optimal performance in high temperatures. Despite these challenges, Wāsiţ's location offers excellent potential for solar energy generation, particularly during the summer months. With proper planning and maintenance, a solar PV system in this area can provide a significant and reliable source of renewable energy 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 Wasit

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.3833, Longitude: 45.225 (Wasit, 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 28° South in Wasit, Iraq

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wasit, Iraq (Lat/Long 32.3833, 45.225) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Wasit, 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 Wasit, Iraq. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
16° South in Summer	37° South in Autumn	47° South in Winter	25° 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 Wasit, 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 Wasit, 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 Wasit, Iraq

The topography around Wāsiţ, Iraq, located at approximately 32.3833 degrees north latitude and 45.225 degrees east longitude, is characterized by a predominantly flat and low-lying landscape. This area is part of the Mesopotamian Plain, a vast alluvial plain formed by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers over millennia. The terrain is generally featureless, with minimal elevation changes across large distances. The region surrounding Wāsiţ is primarily composed of desert and semi-desert environments. The land is mostly arid, with sparse vegetation consisting of drought-resistant shrubs and grasses. The soil is typically sandy or silty, a result of the ancient river deposits that have accumulated over time. Occasional dry riverbeds, known as wadis, can be found cutting through the landscape, although they only carry water during rare heavy rainfall events.

Solar PV Potential

The flat, open terrain and arid climate of the Wāsiţ region make it highly suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Several areas nearby would be particularly well-suited for such projects: To the west and southwest of Wāsiţ, expansive desert areas offer ideal conditions for solar PV farms. These locations benefit from minimal shading, ample space for large arrays, and excellent solar radiation exposure throughout the year. The lack of vegetation and human settlements in these areas would minimize potential conflicts with other land uses. The areas to the east and southeast of Wāsiţ, stretching towards the Iranian border, also present favorable conditions for solar PV development. These regions feature vast, uninterrupted stretches of flat land with high solar insolation levels. The distance from major population centers would allow for extensive installations without significant impact on local communities. North of Wāsiţ, the terrain remains relatively flat and open, offering additional potential sites for solar PV projects. However, care should be taken to avoid areas closer to the Tigris River, where the soil may be more fertile and valuable for agriculture. When considering specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, road access, and environmental impact should be carefully evaluated. Additionally, while the general topography is favorable, detailed site assessments would be necessary to identify any localized features that might affect solar farm efficiency or construction feasibility.

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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.