Solar PV Analysis of Bethlehem, Palestine
Bethlehem, Palestine is a pretty good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can produce with a solar panel depends on the time of year. During summer, you can expect to generate about 8.77 units of electricity per day for every unit of your solar panel's capacity (kWh/day per kW). This number drops to 5.54 kWh/day per kW in autumn and even further to 3.80 kWh/day per kW in winter, but it rises again to 7.52 kWh/day per kW in spring.
So, if you want to get the most out of your solar panels in Bethlehem, the best times would be during spring and summer when sunlight is abundant.
To maximize total yearly production from your panels at this location, they should be tilted at an angle facing 27 degrees South - this will ensure they are well positioned towards the sun for most parts of the year.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce with your panels here – such as dust storms or periods of heavy cloud cover which could block sunlight from reaching them fully; or any potential shading from nearby buildings or trees.
To counter these issues while installing solar panels:
1) Choose a spot where shadows from nearby structures or trees won't fall on your panels especially during peak sunlight hours.
2) Regular maintenance like cleaning dust off them will also help keep their performance high.
3) If possible install trackers that move panels according to sun’s position ensuring maximum exposure throughout the day.
4) Using anti-reflective coating on PV modules can also improve light absorption and thus efficiency.
In conclusion: Bethlehem has plenty sunshine suitable for generating decent amounts of solar power all-year-round particularly in spring and summer months; however do consider local environmental conditions when installing and maintaining systems for optimal results.
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 13 locations across Palestine. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Palestine by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Bethlehem
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.6918, Longitude: 35.2168 (Bethlehem, Palestine), 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 27° South in Bethlehem, Palestine
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bethlehem, Palestine (Lat/Long 31.6918, 35.2168) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Bethlehem, Palestine
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 Bethlehem, Palestine. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° 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 | 46° South in Winter | 24° 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 Bethlehem, Palestine
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 Bethlehem, Palestine.
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 Bethlehem, Palestine
Bethlehem is located in the central part of the West Bank, in Palestine. The region is characterized by a hilly landscape with valleys and plains interspersed. The terrain gradually ascends towards the west and descends towards the Dead Sea to its east. Bethlehem itself sits at an elevation of around 775 meters above sea level.
The climate in Bethlehem features hot summers and mild winters, with plenty of sunshine throughout most of the year - making it suitable for solar PV installations.
As for specific areas suited to large-scale solar PV installations, open flat lands or gently sloping hills that receive ample sunlight would be ideal. This could include regions to the east where there are open desert areas or unused agricultural lands on outskirts of cities/towns which can be utilized without causing any disturbance to local habitats or ecosystems.
However, any such project must also take into consideration factors like proximity to transmission lines/grid (for feeding power back), potential land use conflicts (with agriculture or conservation), local zoning regulations etc., hence detailed feasibility studies would be required before identifying exact locations for large scale solar farms.
It's important also to mention that political instability and conflict in this region might pose challenges for development projects like these.
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
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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.
