Solar Energy Potential in Mohammedia, Morocco

Mohammedia, Morocco, situated at latitude 33.6861 and longitude -7.383, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in the Northern Sub Tropics experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, making it an interesting case study for solar PV installations. The seasonal breakdown of expected electricity output per kW of installed solar panels reveals a significant variation throughout the year. Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.77 kWh/day generation capacity. Spring follows closely behind at 6.56 kWh/day, while autumn sees a moderate output of 5.08 kWh/day. Winter, as expected, produces the least amount of energy at 3.48 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Mohammedia is particularly well-suited for solar energy production during the warmer months, from late spring through early autumn. This period offers extended daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing the potential of solar PV systems. However, the relatively consistent output across seasons suggests that solar energy remains a viable option year-round, albeit with reduced efficiency during the winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For those considering a fixed panel installation in Mohammedia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 29 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated taking into account the city's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and daily solar elevation angles, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Mohammedia presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Coastal location: The city's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean may expose solar panels to salt spray, potentially causing corrosion over time. 2. Dust and sand: Being in a semi-arid region, dust accumulation on panels could reduce efficiency. To mitigate these issues, installers should consider using corrosion-resistant materials and implementing regular cleaning schedules. Additionally, installing panels at a slight angle can help with natural cleaning during rainfall, reducing the impact of dust accumulation. Overall, Mohammedia's location offers substantial potential for solar energy production, with some seasonal variations. By optimizing panel placement and addressing environmental factors, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable and efficient source of renewable energy throughout the year.

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 Mohammedia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.6861, Longitude: -7.383 (Mohammedia, 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 29° South in Mohammedia, Morocco

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mohammedia, Morocco (Lat/Long 33.6861, -7.383) 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 Mohammedia, 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 Mohammedia, Morocco. 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
17° South in Summer	38° South in Autumn	49° 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 Mohammedia, 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 Mohammedia, 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 Mohammedia, Morocco

The topography around Mohammedia, Morocco, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from coastal plains to gently rolling hills as one moves inland. Situated on the Atlantic coast, Mohammedia benefits from a relatively flat terrain near the shoreline, which gradually rises in elevation as you travel eastward. The coastal area is dominated by sandy beaches and low-lying plains, making it an ideal location for urban development and industrial activities. As you move away from the coast, the landscape becomes more varied, with subtle undulations and small hills dotting the countryside. These gentle slopes are often covered with a mix of grasslands, shrubs, and scattered trees, typical of the region's Mediterranean climate.

Inland Terrain

Further inland, the terrain becomes more pronounced, with higher elevations and more distinct hill formations. These areas are often characterized by rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation, creating a rugged and picturesque landscape. Despite the increasing elevation, the region around Mohammedia generally remains accessible, with no extreme mountain ranges or deep valleys in the immediate vicinity.

Suitable Areas for Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine favorable topography with high solar irradiance and proximity to existing infrastructure. The gently sloping areas just inland from Mohammedia present promising opportunities for solar PV development. These locations offer a good balance of open, relatively flat terrain that receives ample sunlight throughout the year. The slight inclination of the land can actually be beneficial for solar panel placement, allowing for optimal angling towards the sun and potentially reducing the accumulation of dust on the panels. Areas to the south and southeast of Mohammedia are particularly attractive for solar PV installations. These regions typically experience less coastal influence, resulting in clearer skies and higher solar radiation levels. The gradually rising terrain in these directions provides expansive, unobstructed spaces that could accommodate large arrays of solar panels. It's worth noting that while the immediate coastal areas have abundant flat land, they may be less suitable for large-scale solar projects due to potential conflicts with urban expansion, industrial use, and the corrosive effects of salt spray on solar equipment. Therefore, the most promising locations for solar PV development are likely to be found in the transitional zones between the coastal plains and the more elevated inland areas, where land is available and solar resources are optimal. In conclusion, the diverse topography around Mohammedia offers several suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects, with the most promising areas lying in the gently sloping terrain to the south and southeast of the city. These locations combine favorable land features with excellent solar potential, making them ideal candidates for renewable energy development in the region.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.