Solar PV Analysis of Ohrid, North Macedonia
The location at Ohrid, North Macedonia is pretty good for generating energy through solar panels, but it's not perfect. The amount of electricity you can get from a solar panel depends on how much sunlight hits it. In the summer at this location, each kilowatt of installed solar could give you an average of 7.48 kilowatt-hours per day. That's quite good! But in autumn and winter, the output drops to 3.46 and 2.06 kWh/day respectively because there are fewer hours of daylight and the sun isn't as strong.
Springtime sees a rise again with an average output of 5.24 kWh/day per kW of installed solar power as days start getting longer and sunnier again.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round in Ohrid, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of about 34 degrees - that way they'll catch more sunlight throughout the year.
However, there are some factors that might affect how well your panels work here:
Weather conditions like heavy snowfall or foggy days can reduce sunlight reaching the panels; regular cleaning would help keep them efficient when weather clears up though!
Also local environmental factors such as tall buildings or trees could potentially block sunlight if they cast shadows on where your panels are installed - so picking a spot with clear sky view is important.
Lastly remember to consider any local regulations or restrictions related to installation before starting your project to avoid any potential issues down the line!
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 25 locations across North Macedonia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in North Macedonia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ohrid
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.1111, Longitude: 20.8004 (Ohrid, North Macedonia), 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 34° South in Ohrid, North Macedonia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ohrid, North Macedonia (Lat/Long 41.1111, 20.8004) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° 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 Ohrid, North Macedonia
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 Ohrid, North Macedonia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 55° South in Winter | 33° 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 Ohrid, North Macedonia
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 Ohrid, North Macedonia.
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 Ohrid, North Macedonia
Ohrid is located in the southwestern part of North Macedonia, near the border with Albania. The topography around Ohrid is diverse, characterized by its location on the eastern shore of Lake Ohrid and surrounded by mountains reaching over 2,000 meters in height. The region's terrain includes mountainous areas, valleys, and plateaus.
The area's climate is a mix of Mediterranean and continental influences, with warm summers and relatively mild winters.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are generally preferred as they require less groundwork preparation and can accommodate larger arrays more efficiently. In this context:
1) Plateau Areas: There are plateau regions around Ohrid such as Labunista plateau that could be suitable for large-scale PV installations due to their flatter topography.
2) Agricultural Land: Depending on local regulations regarding land use changes, some agricultural lands could potentially be converted into solar farms if they aren't too fertile or necessary for food production.
3) Near Infrastructure: Areas near existing infrastructure like roads or power lines would also be advantageous since it reduces costs associated with transporting materials during construction phase and connecting the PV system to the grid.
However, any decision should take into account factors such as environmental impact assessments including potential effects on local biodiversity or cultural heritage sites (like the ancient city of Ohrid), land ownership issues among others.
It's also worth noting that rooftops in urban areas like downtown Ohrid could be used for smaller scale distributed generation through rooftop PV systems.
Lastly but importantly feasibility studies need to be carried out before deciding on exact locations considering factors like shading from nearby mountains etc., along with economic viability analysis incorporating aspects such as capital investment required vs expected returns etc.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 26th 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.
