Ramla, Central District, Israel, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at 31.9192° N, 34.8629° E offers significant potential for harnessing solar power, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Ramla follows a predictable pattern aligned with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 8.29 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 7.29 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 5.21 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.68 kWh/day. This seasonal variation indicates that Ramla enjoys excellent solar potential for a significant portion of the year. The long, sunny days of summer and spring provide ideal conditions for maximizing solar energy production. Even during the less productive autumn and winter months, the region still maintains a respectable level of solar generation.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Ramla, Central District, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 27 degrees facing south. This carefully calculated angle takes into account the city's latitude, the sun's position throughout the year, and the Earth's elliptical orbit. By adhering to this optimal tilt, solar installations can capture the maximum amount of sunlight across all seasons, ensuring efficient energy generation throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Ramla generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and sand: Given the region's climate, dust and sand accumulation on solar panels can potentially reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels are essential to mitigate this issue. 2. High temperatures: During peak summer months, extreme heat can slightly decrease the efficiency of solar panels. Choosing high-quality, heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help address this concern. To combat these factors, implementing automated cleaning systems and selecting panels with high temperature coefficients can significantly enhance the overall performance and longevity of solar installations in Ramla. In conclusion, Ramla's location proves to be highly suitable for solar PV energy generation, with strong potential throughout the year and particularly excellent conditions during summer and spring. By optimizing panel installation and addressing minor environmental challenges, the city can effectively harness its abundant solar resources.

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 100 locations across Israel. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Israel by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ramla

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.9192, Longitude: 34.8629 (Ramla, Israel), 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 Ramla, Israel

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ramla, Israel (Lat/Long 31.9192, 34.8629) 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 Ramla, Israel

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 Ramla, Israel. 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
16° South in Summer	36° South in Autumn	47° 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 Ramla, Israel

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 Ramla, Israel.

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 Ramla, Israel

The topography around Ramla, Israel is characterized by gently rolling hills and plains. The city itself is situated in the central coastal plain of Israel, known as the Shephelah. This region is a transitional area between the coastal plain to the west and the Judean Mountains to the east.

The landscape surrounding Ramla is primarily composed of low-lying areas with subtle elevation changes. To the west, the terrain gradually slopes down towards the Mediterranean coast, which is about 15-20 kilometers away. To the east, the land begins to rise more noticeably as it approaches the foothills of the Judean Mountains.

The area around Ramla features a mix of agricultural lands, urban developments, and some patches of natural vegetation. The soil in this region is generally fertile, consisting of a combination of alluvial deposits and loess, which has made it suitable for agriculture throughout history.

Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Ramla, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically be:

1. Open, flat terrain to the south and southeast of Ramla: These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have minimal shading from natural features or buildings. The relatively flat landscape would make installation and maintenance easier.

2. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow: Some agricultural areas in the region might be suitable for solar PV installations, especially if they are not highly productive for crops. This could provide an alternative use for the land while generating clean energy.

3. Industrial zones or brownfield sites: Areas that have already been developed for industrial use but are currently underutilized could be repurposed for solar energy production. These sites often have existing infrastructure that can be adapted for solar PV systems.

4. Gently sloping hillsides facing south: While not as ideal as flat terrain, some of the gently sloping areas to the east of Ramla that face south could be suitable for solar PV installations. These slopes would receive good sun exposure throughout the day.

It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider additional factors such as proximity to the electrical grid, local zoning regulations, and environmental impact assessments. The final selection of sites would require detailed studies and consultations with local authorities and stakeholders.

Israel solar PV Stats as a country

Israel ranks 29th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 2,555 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 4.70% of Israel's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 17th in the world). Each year Israel is generating 277 Watts from solar PV per capita (Israel ranks 16th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Israel?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Israel. The Israeli government offers a variety of financial incentives and subsidies for businesses that install solar energy systems. These include grants, tax credits, and low-interest loans. Additionally, the government has implemented a feed-in tariff program which guarantees a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources such as solar power. This helps to ensure that businesses can recoup their investment in solar energy over time.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Israel? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.