Solar Energy Potential in Ait Ourir, Morocco

Ait Ourir, Morocco, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 31.5575, -7.6681, offers promising conditions for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy generation throughout the year. This location receives substantial sunlight, making it a favorable spot for solar power installations.

Seasonal Energy Production

The solar energy production at Ait Ourir varies significantly with the seasons:

• Summer: Excellent production at 8.11 kWh per day for each kW installed
• Spring: Very good output at 6.91 kWh per day per kW installed
• Autumn: Moderate production at 5.54 kWh per day per kW installed
• Winter: Lower but still reasonable output at 4.25 kWh per day per kW installed

This seasonal pattern shows that Ait Ourir experiences its peak solar production during summer months, with spring being the second most productive period. Even during winter, the location maintains a respectable output compared to many other global locations.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Ait Ourir, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 28 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, computing optimal daily panel tilt, weighting these angles based on daily PV potential using NASA's solar irradiance data, and determining the weighted annual average.

Environmental Considerations

Despite its excellent solar potential, Ait Ourir faces some environmental challenges that could affect solar production. The region experiences high temperatures in summer, which can slightly reduce panel efficiency. Additionally, dust and sand accumulation is a significant concern in this semi-arid location near the Atlas Mountains. To mitigate these challenges, solar installations should incorporate regular cleaning schedules to remove dust and sand deposits. Installing panels with a few inches of clearance from the mounting surface can improve airflow and reduce temperature-related efficiency losses. Heat-resistant panel models specifically designed for hot climates would be advantageous in this location.

Year-Round Viability

Overall, Ait Ourir presents near-ideal conditions for solar PV installations, with strong production potential throughout the year. The difference between winter (lowest) and summer (highest) production is less than twofold, indicating relatively consistent solar availability compared to locations at higher latitudes. This makes the site suitable for year-round solar energy generation with predictable seasonal variations.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Morocco by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ait Ourir

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.5575, Longitude: -7.6681 (Ait Ourir, Morocco), 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 Ait Ourir, Morocco

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ait Ourir, Morocco (Lat/Long 31.5575, -7.6681) 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 Ait Ourir, Morocco

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 Ait Ourir, Morocco. 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
15° South in Summer	36° 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 Ait Ourir, Morocco

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 Ait Ourir, Morocco.

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 Ait Ourir, Morocco

The landscape surrounding Ait Ourir, Morocco presents a diverse and dramatic topography characterized by the transition between multiple geographic zones. Located approximately 30 kilometers east of Marrakech, Ait Ourir sits at the foothills of the majestic High Atlas Mountains. This strategic position places it in a transitional zone between the fertile Haouz plain to the north and west, and the increasingly rugged mountain terrain to the south and east.

Topographical Features

The immediate surroundings of Ait Ourir consist of gently rolling hills and plateaus that gradually rise in elevation as one moves southward toward the Atlas range. The town itself sits at an elevation of approximately 700 meters above sea level. The northern approach to Ait Ourir is characterized by relatively flat agricultural land of the Haouz plain, which extends toward Marrakech. As one moves south from Ait Ourir, the landscape becomes progressively more mountainous, with numerous valleys, ridges, and elevated plateaus. These foothills serve as the gateway to the High Atlas Mountains, whose peaks eventually reach elevations exceeding 4,000 meters, including Toubkal, North Africa's highest summit. The area is intersected by several seasonal watercourses (oueds) that flow northward from the mountains, creating fertile corridors through the otherwise semi-arid landscape. The Zat River is particularly notable, carving a valley that has historically supported agriculture in the region.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

The region surrounding Ait Ourir offers several promising areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic development, with certain zones presenting distinct advantages: The northern and northwestern plains extending from Ait Ourir toward Marrakech represent prime territory for solar installations. These areas feature relatively flat terrain with minimal shading concerns, good accessibility via existing road networks, and proximity to transmission infrastructure connecting to Marrakech and beyond. The gently undulating landscape requires minimal grading for installation, reducing development costs. The elevated plateaus to the east and southeast of Ait Ourir also present excellent opportunities for solar development. These areas combine favorable topography with slightly higher elevations, which typically experience less dust accumulation than the lower plains. The plateaus offer large, continuous tracts of land that could accommodate utility-scale installations while remaining accessible from major roads. Some of the broader valley floors within 15-20 kilometers of Ait Ourir provide another category of suitable sites. While these areas must be carefully selected to avoid seasonal flooding concerns, they often feature level terrain with good solar exposure. The valleys oriented east-west are particularly valuable as they minimize morning and evening shading from surrounding ridges. Areas to avoid include the steeper mountain slopes to the south, which present challenges related to accessibility, construction complexity, and potential shading issues. Similarly, the immediate riparian zones along the Zat River and other watercourses should be excluded from development consideration due to flooding risks and higher agricultural value. The region benefits from minimal vegetation cover outside of cultivated areas, reducing clearance requirements. The predominant soil types across the plains and plateaus—generally consisting of compact, rocky soils with limited agricultural potential—are well-suited to supporting the foundations for solar mounting systems. In terms of land availability, the semi-arid regions extending northeast from Ait Ourir toward El Kelaa des Sraghna offer extensive undeveloped areas with minimal competing land uses, making them particularly promising for large-scale solar deployment that requires substantial contiguous acreage.

Morocco solar PV Stats as a country

Morocco ranks 45th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 774 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 1.30% of Morocco's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 36th in the world). Each year Morocco is generating 21 Watts from solar PV per capita (Morocco ranks 65th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Morocco?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Morocco. The Moroccan government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources, including solar energy. These include tax credits, subsidies, and feed-in tariffs that provide financial support for businesses investing in solar power systems. Additionally, the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN) provides technical assistance and financing options to help businesses with their solar projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Morocco? 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

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