Solar PV Analysis of El Achrafiye, Lebanon
El Achrafiye, Beyrouth, Lebanon is a fairly good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its location in the Northern Sub Tropics. The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar power varies depending on the season. During summer, you can expect to generate about 8.62 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This output decreases slightly in autumn to around 5.23 kWh/day and further drops during winter to approximately 3.31 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panel capacity. However, production increases again in spring with an average output of about 7 kWh/day.
The best time for generating solar energy at this location would likely be during summer and spring when sunlight hours are longer and more intense compared with other seasons.
For optimum results from your fixed-panel installation at this site, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 29 degrees facing southward - this position is believed to maximize total year-round production from your photovoltaic system.
As for potential issues that could impede solar production at El Achrafiye; factors such as environmental conditions, local weather patterns or topography may come into play but only if they are significant enough to affect sunlight exposure on your panels.
For instance, if there are tall buildings or trees nearby that might cast shadows over your panels or if the area experiences high levels of dust or pollution which could block sunlight - these situations could potentially reduce the effectiveness of your system.
To counteract these factors where possible; ensure that there's minimal shading over your panels throughout most parts of the day by carefully selecting their installation site and regularly clean them off any dust or debris accumulation which can obstruct light absorption thus improving their performance efficiency overall.
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 22 locations across Lebanon. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Lebanon by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in El Achrafiye
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.88, Longitude: 35.5195 (El Achrafiye, Lebanon), 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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in El Achrafiye, Lebanon (Lat/Long 33.88, 35.5195) 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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon
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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon. 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 | 48° South in Winter | 26° 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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon
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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon.
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 El Achrafiye, Lebanon
El Achrafieye is a district located in eastern Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon. The topography of this area is characterized by its urban setting, with high-rise buildings, busy streets, and little open land. The region has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
The topography around El Achrafieye is mostly flat but gradually becomes hilly as you move towards the east and away from the coastline. This region features some valleys and mountains further to the east.
For large-scale solar PV installations in this area, it would be ideal to look for open spaces that receive plenty of sunlight throughout the year. Some potential areas could include:
1. Rooftops: Given El Achrafieye's urban setting with numerous buildings, rooftops can provide ample space for installing solar panels without requiring additional land.
2. Unused Land: Any unused or barren lands on the outskirts of town or nearby regions could also be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
3. Hilly Areas: The hilly regions towards the east might also be suitable if they have good sun exposure.
4. Industrial Zones: Large industrial zones with ample rooftop space or ground space can also be used for such installations.
In any case, factors such as sun exposure (solar irradiance), local weather conditions (like cloud cover), land availability/costs and proximity to power grids will need to be considered when determining suitability for large-scale solar PV installation.
It's worth noting that Lebanon has been making efforts in recent years to increase its use of renewable energy sources including solar power due to its abundant sunlight throughout most parts of the year.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 5th of March 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
