Solar PV Analysis of Zahle, Lebanon
Zahle, Mohafazat Beqaa, Lebanon, situated in the Northern Subtropics, is an advantageous location for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. The city's climatic conditions contribute to a significant yield of solar energy throughout the year due to longer daylight hours and higher temperatures, particularly during summer. During this season, each kilowatt of installed solar capacity generates an average of 8.62 kilowatt-hours per day.
In Autumn, the average yield decreases to 5.23 kWh/day per kW due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity compared to summer. Winter sees a further decline in production with an average output dropping down to 3.31 kWh/day per kW because of the least amount of sunlight received during this period.
Conversely, Spring brings about an improvement in solar power generation with each kilowatt delivering approximately 7 kWh per day on average as sunlight duration and intensity start increasing again.
The ideal angle for fixed panel installation at this location is a tilt towards South at 29 degrees which maximizes exposure towards direct sunlight throughout the year thus ensuring optimal energy production.
However certain environmental factors may potentially impede solar production occasionally such as heavy rain or snowfall which can limit sunlight exposure on panels but these events are relatively rare in Zahle's climate context.
To mitigate these potential disruptions and ensure greater energy production efficiency from your installation it would be advisable to implement regular maintenance practices including periodic cleaning of panels especially after adverse weather conditions which can help maintain optimal operating conditions for your PV system.
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 8 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
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Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Zahle
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.8573, Longitude: 35.9069 (Zahle, 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 Zahle, Lebanon
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Zahle, Lebanon (Lat/Long 33.8573, 35.9069) 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 Zahle, 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 Zahle, 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.
Topography for solar PV around Zahle, Lebanon
The topography around Zahle, Lebanon is mostly flat and low-lying with some rolling hills. The nearby area that would be most suitable for large scale solar PV installations would be the flat plains of the Bekaa Valley, located to the east of Zahle. This region has a high amount of sunshine and relatively little cloud cover, making it an ideal location for large-scale solar projects. Furthermore, there are minimal obstructions in this area which makes it easier to set up solar panels in an efficient manner.
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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.
