Solar PV Analysis of Gaza, Palestine
Gaza, Palestine, situated in the Northern Sub-Tropics, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. The region's geographical position at 31.5019°N, 34.4666°E provides ample sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Seasonal Solar Energy Production
Solar energy production in Gaza varies significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 8.29 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 7.29 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease to 5.21 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.68 kWh/day.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the region's seasonal variations. However, even during the least productive winter months, Gaza still receives a reasonable amount of sunlight for energy generation.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Gaza, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 27-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, balancing the sun's changing position across seasons.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Gaza's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Dust and sand: The region's arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
- Coastal humidity: Gaza's proximity to the Mediterranean Sea may result in salt spray and increased humidity, which could affect panel performance over time.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at the recommended angle also helps with natural cleaning during rainfall. Additionally, using high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials for mounting and wiring can protect against salt-air degradation.
Despite these challenges, Gaza's location remains highly suitable for solar energy production. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems can provide a reliable and sustainable energy source for the region 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 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 Gaza
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.5019, Longitude: 34.4666 (Gaza, 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 Gaza, Palestine
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gaza, Palestine (Lat/Long 31.5019, 34.4666) 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 Gaza, 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 Gaza, 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 Gaza, 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 Gaza, 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 Gaza, Palestine
The topography around Gaza, Palestine is relatively flat and low-lying. The area is part of the coastal plain that runs along the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The terrain is characterized by sandy beaches along the coast, gradually transitioning to gently rolling hills as you move inland. The elevation in Gaza City itself is typically less than 50 meters (164 feet) above sea level.
To the east of Gaza, the land begins to rise slightly, forming what's known as the Gaza Strip's eastern highlands. These are not dramatic mountains but rather modest hills and ridges. The highest point in the Gaza Strip is only about 105 meters (344 feet) above sea level, located near the eastern border.
The landscape is predominantly urban and suburban within Gaza City and other populated areas. Outside of these built-up zones, much of the land is used for agriculture, with fields and orchards dotting the countryside. There are also areas of sandy dunes, especially closer to the coastline.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the most promising locations would be in the less densely populated regions to the south and southeast of Gaza City. These areas offer several advantages:
- They have more open, flat land available, which is ideal for setting up large arrays of solar panels.
- The terrain is generally free from significant geographical obstacles that could cast shadows or interfere with solar exposure.
- These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year, thanks to the region's Mediterranean climate with long, sunny days, especially in summer.
However, it's important to note that the Gaza Strip is a densely populated area with limited land resources. Any large-scale solar project would need to carefully consider land use issues and potential conflicts with agricultural or residential needs. Additionally, the complex political situation in the region could present challenges for implementing such projects.
The nearby Negev Desert in Israel, while not part of Gaza, is worth mentioning as it has been successfully used for large-scale solar installations due to its vast open spaces and high solar irradiance. This demonstrates the potential for solar energy in the broader geographical region, given the right conditions and available land.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 11th of October 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.
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