Solar PV Analysis of Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan is a decent place for year-round solar energy generation but it's not the best. The amount of electricity produced by solar panels varies throughout the year. In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.59 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of your installed solar power system; in autumn, this falls to 2.49 kWh/day; in winter it drops even further to 1.79 kWh/day; and then rises again in spring to around 5.99 kWh/day.
The best times of the year for generating solar power at this location are during summer and spring when there is more sunlight available each day due to longer daylight hours compared with other seasons.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the whole year in Astana, they should be mounted at an angle facing towards south at about 44 degrees from horizontal level. This orientation helps maximize their exposure to sunlight over all four seasons.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much electricity you can produce from your solar panels here:
- Weather: Astana has a cold semi-arid climate with long winters which means less sun exposure during these months.
- Dust or snow: These elements could cover your panels reducing their efficiency.
- Air pollution: If air quality is poor due to industrial activities or traffic emissions nearby, this may reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
To overcome these challenges:
- Regular cleaning will help keep dust or snow off of your panels.
- Installing them on an elevated structure could also prevent accumulation of such particles on them.
- Also using high-quality PV modules that perform well under low light conditions would be beneficial especially during winter months.
So while Astana isn't perfect for producing solar energy all-year-round due its long winters and potential issues like dust or snow coverage and air pollution affecting performance, with proper installation techniques including optimal panel tilt and regular maintenance, solar energy can still be a viable source of electricity at this location.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 28 locations across Kazakhstan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Kazakhstan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Astana
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 51.1876, Longitude: 71.4491 (Astana, Kazakhstan), 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 44° South in Astana, Kazakhstan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Astana, Kazakhstan (Lat/Long 51.1876, 71.4491) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 44° 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 Astana, Kazakhstan
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 Astana, Kazakhstan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 44° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35° South in Summer | 54° South in Autumn | 65° South in Winter | 43° 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 Astana, Kazakhstan
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 Astana, Kazakhstan.
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 Astana, Kazakhstan
Astana, now known as Nur-Sultan, is located in the northern part of Kazakhstan. The topography around the city is predominantly flat and steppe-like with a few small hills. This region experiences a continental climate with cold winters and hot summers.
The flatness of the terrain would make it suitable for solar PV installation. However, considering the local climate, it's important to note that although summer days are long and sunny, winter days are very short and often overcast which may affect solar energy production.
Areas most suited for large-scale solar PV near Astana/Nur-Sultan would be open areas devoid of tall structures or vegetation that could cause shading on panels. These can include farmlands or industrial zones where there is plenty of space for installation without much obstruction to sunlight.
A detailed feasibility study incorporating factors like annual sun exposure (insolation), land use restrictions, grid connectivity availability etc., would be required to identify specific sites best suited for large scale Solar PV installations.
Kazakhstan solar PV Stats as a country
Kazakhstan ranks 44th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,037 total MW's of solar PV installed. [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Kazakhstan?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Kazakhstan. The government of Kazakhstan has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources, including solar energy. These include tax exemptions, grants, and subsidies for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has established a Renewable Energy Fund which provides financial support for projects related to renewable energy development.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Kazakhstan? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 20th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 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.
