Solar PV Analysis of Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia
The location at Al Qatif, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia is a pretty good spot for generating energy via solar panels throughout the year. This is because it's located in the Northern Sub Tropics where there's plenty of sunlight.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. In autumn, this drops slightly to 5.45 kWh/day per kW; in winter, it's around 4.15 kWh/day per kW; and in spring, it goes back up to 6.69 kWh/day per kW.
So if we look at these numbers, summer and spring are the best times of year to generate solar energy at this location due to higher sunlight exposure.
If you're installing fixed panel solar installations here, ideally you'd want to tilt your panels towards an angle that faces 23 degrees South - this will help maximize your total yearly production from your solar panels.
Now let's talk about potential factors that could affect solar production at this location:
Al Qatif is generally sunny which is great for solar power generation but there are a few things worth considering:
1) Dust storms: This area can experience dust storms which might cover the panels with dust or sand and reduce their efficiency.
Prevention: Regular cleaning and maintenance would be required especially after such events.
2) High temperatures: While sunlight is necessary for generating power from PV cells, extremely high temperatures can actually reduce their efficiency.
Prevention: Using cooling systems or choosing PV modules designed specifically for high-temperature environments could help mitigate this issue.
3) Limited rainfall: The limited rainfall in Al Qatif means that natural cleaning of the panels by rainwater doesn't happen often.
Prevention: Again regular cleaning becomes even more important here due to lack of natural washing by rainwater.
Overall though these challenges are manageable with proper maintenance and care, and the benefits of high sunlight exposure make Al Qatif a very suitable location for solar energy production.
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 26 locations across Saudi Arabia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Saudi Arabia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Al Qatif
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.5651, Longitude: 50.0118 (Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia), 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 23° South in Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia (Lat/Long 26.5651, 50.0118) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia
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 Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° South in Summer | 32° South in Autumn | 42° South in Winter | 19° 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 Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia
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 Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia.
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 Al Qatif, Saudi Arabia
Al Qatif is located in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, along the coast of the Persian Gulf. The topography around Al Qatif is relatively flat with low-lying plains. It's part of a larger region known as Al-Ahsa which is one of the largest oases in the world, surrounded by sand dunes and palm groves.
This flat terrain and abundance of sunlight make it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Additionally, its proximity to the coast can provide cooling effects for solar panels, improving their efficiency.
However, it's important to consider that this area also has significant oil infrastructure due to its location in one of Saudi Arabia's major oil-producing regions. This could potentially limit available space for large-scale solar projects.
The desert areas surrounding Al Qatif would likely be most suited for large-scale solar PV due to their ample sunlight and open space. Areas such as Abqaiq or further inland towards Hofuf could be potential locations considering they have less population density compared to Al Qatif city itself.
Please note that while these areas might be physically suited for large-scale solar PV installations, other factors like accessibility, proximity to power grids or consumers, land ownership rights and environmental considerations need also be taken into account before deciding on a specific location.
Saudi Arabia solar PV Stats as a country
Saudi Arabia ranks 54th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 439 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Saudi Arabia is generating 13 Watts from solar PV per capita (Saudi Arabia ranks 70th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Saudi Arabia. The government has implemented a number of policies and programs to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include feed-in tariffs, net metering, and subsidies for installation costs. Additionally, the government has set up a Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO) which provides technical assistance and financial support to companies interested in developing renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Saudi Arabia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 7th of February 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.
