Khan Yunis, Palestine, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 31.3407, 34.3036, presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations that potential solar installers should carefully consider.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows substantial fluctuation throughout the year. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 8.31 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it an excellent period for solar generation. Spring also performs well with 7.26 kWh per day per kW, representing the second-best season for solar production. However, the location experiences notable challenges during cooler months. Autumn production drops to 5.15 kWh per day per kW, while winter sees the lowest output at just 3.64 kWh per day per kW. This means winter production is less than half of summer output, which could impact year-round energy independence without adequate battery storage or grid connection.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations at Khan Yunis, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated by analyzing daily solar elevation angles at this latitude, determining optimal panel positioning, and weighting these angles using solar irradiance data while accounting for Earth's elliptical orbit around the sun.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant factors in the Khan Yunis region can impede solar panel performance and require careful consideration during installation:

• Desert dust and sand: The proximity to arid regions means frequent dust accumulation on panels, which can reduce efficiency by 10-25% if not regularly cleaned
• Salt air corrosion: Being close to the Mediterranean coast, salt-laden air can accelerate corrosion of panel frames and mounting hardware
• High summer temperatures: Extreme heat can reduce panel efficiency, as solar panels typically lose 0.4-0.5% efficiency for every degree above 25°C
• Occasional sandstorms: These can temporarily block sunlight and deposit heavy dust layers on installations

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies prove effective:

• Regular cleaning systems: Install automated cleaning systems or establish frequent manual cleaning schedules, particularly during dusty seasons
• Marine-grade components: Use corrosion-resistant aluminum frames and stainless steel mounting hardware designed for coastal environments
• Adequate ventilation: Ensure proper air circulation beneath panels to reduce operating temperatures and maintain efficiency
• Protective coatings: Apply anti-soiling coatings to panel surfaces to reduce dust adhesion and make cleaning more effective
• Tilt optimization: The recommended 27-degree tilt helps panels self-clean during rain while maximizing sun exposure

Despite these challenges, Khan Yunis remains a viable location for solar energy generation, particularly when proper maintenance protocols are established and appropriate equipment is selected for the local environment.

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 Khan Yunis

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.3407, Longitude: 34.3036 (Khan Yunis, 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 Khan Yunis, Palestine

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Khan Yunis, Palestine (Lat/Long 31.3407, 34.3036) 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 Khan Yunis, 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 Khan Yunis, 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 Khan Yunis, 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 Khan Yunis, Palestine.

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 Khan Yunis, Palestine

Topographical Features of Khan Yunis

Khan Yunis sits in the southern portion of the Gaza Strip, positioned on relatively flat coastal plain terrain that characterizes much of this Mediterranean region. The city lies at a low elevation, approximately 50 meters above sea level, with the landscape gently sloping toward the Mediterranean Sea to the west. The terrain consists primarily of sandy soils and alluvial deposits, creating a predominantly flat topography with minimal elevation changes across the immediate area. The surrounding landscape features rolling sandy hills and small wadis (seasonal watercourses) that create subtle undulations in an otherwise level terrain. These gentle rises and depressions are typical of the coastal plain environment, formed over millennia by wind-blown sand deposits and ancient marine processes. The area experiences minimal topographical variation, with most elevation changes occurring gradually over considerable distances rather than through steep grades or dramatic relief features.

Regional Terrain Characteristics

The broader region around Khan Yunis extends across the southern Gaza Strip and into the northern Sinai Peninsula, maintaining similar flat to gently rolling characteristics. Moving eastward toward the border areas, the terrain gradually transitions from the coastal sandy plains to slightly more elevated ground, though still remaining relatively flat overall. The landscape is punctuated by agricultural areas, small settlements, and patches of natural vegetation adapted to the semi-arid Mediterranean climate. Sandy ridges and small depressions create a subtle pattern across the region, while seasonal water channels have carved shallow valleys through the softer sedimentary materials. The absence of significant hills, mountains, or deep valleys makes this region topographically uniform, with most variations in elevation occurring over gentle gradients that pose minimal obstacles to development or infrastructure placement.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The flat to gently rolling terrain surrounding Khan Yunis presents numerous suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. Areas to the east and southeast of the city offer particularly favorable conditions, where the land remains relatively undeveloped and features minimal elevation changes that could create shading issues between solar panel arrays. These eastern areas benefit from stable sandy soils that can support substantial infrastructure while maintaining good drainage characteristics. The slightly elevated sandy ridges scattered throughout the region provide excellent mounting opportunities for solar installations, as they offer natural drainage and reduce the risk of water accumulation during seasonal rains. These elevated areas also minimize potential conflicts with agricultural activities and existing settlements while providing clear sightlines for optimal solar exposure throughout the day. Areas with gentle south-facing slopes, though subtle in this largely flat region, would be particularly well-suited for solar development as they naturally orient panels toward optimal sun angles. The consistent sandy soil composition across the region provides stable foundations for mounting systems while allowing for straightforward site preparation and construction access. The relatively uniform topography means that large solar installations could be developed with minimal grading or site modification requirements, reducing both construction costs and environmental impact. Areas located away from existing urban development and agricultural zones would be most appropriate, particularly those sections of unused or underutilized land that dot the landscape between established settlements.

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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.