Jizan, Jazan Region, Saudi Arabia represents an excellent location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation. Located in the tropical region at coordinates 16.8956°N, 42.5485°E, this area benefits from consistent sunlight throughout most of the year, with seasonal variations characterized more by wet and dry periods than traditional temperature-based seasons.

Solar Energy Production Performance

The solar energy output data for Jizan demonstrates strong performance across all seasons. Spring emerges as the peak production period, generating 7.43 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely with 6.65 kWh/day per kW, while autumn maintains solid output at 6.25 kWh/day per kW. Even during the lowest production period in winter, the location still generates a respectable 5.60 kWh/day per kW. This seasonal pattern makes Jizan particularly attractive for solar installations, as the variation between peak and minimum production is relatively modest. The spring peak likely coincides with optimal atmospheric conditions and sun angles, while the winter minimum still provides substantial energy generation compared to many other global locations.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For fixed panel installations at this location, the ideal tilt angle to maximize total year-round solar production is 16 degrees facing south. This calculation takes into account the daily solar elevation angles at Jizan's latitude, weighted by the actual photovoltaic potential throughout the year using comprehensive solar irradiance data that accounts for Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant environmental factors in Jizan could potentially impede solar production and require careful consideration during installation planning. Sand and dust accumulation represents the most substantial challenge for solar installations in this region. The proximity to desert areas means that fine particles can regularly settle on solar panels, creating a film that reduces light transmission and subsequently decreases energy output. During sandstorms, this accumulation can be particularly severe and rapid. High humidity levels, especially during certain seasons, can create additional maintenance challenges. The combination of humidity with dust particles can form a more adherent layer on panel surfaces that becomes harder to remove through natural processes like wind or light rain. Extreme heat, while beneficial for solar irradiance, can actually reduce the efficiency of photovoltaic panels. Most solar panels lose efficiency as temperatures rise significantly above their optimal operating range, which can occur frequently in this tropical location.

Preventative Measures and Solutions

Several effective strategies can help maintain optimal solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install automated cleaning systems or schedule regular professional cleaning to remove dust and sand accumulation
• Use anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces to reduce particle adhesion and make cleaning more effective
• Ensure adequate spacing between panel rows to promote air circulation and natural cooling
• Select panels with better high-temperature performance coefficients specifically designed for hot climates
• Install monitoring systems to track performance and identify when cleaning or maintenance is needed

Proper installation design should also include elevated mounting systems that promote airflow beneath panels for cooling, and drainage considerations for the occasional heavy rains that can occur during wet seasons. These measures help ensure that Jizan's excellent solar resource potential translates into consistently high energy production throughout the year.

Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.

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 Jizan

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 16.8956, Longitude: 42.5485 (Jizan, 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 16° South in Jizan, Saudi Arabia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jizan, Saudi Arabia (Lat/Long 16.8956, 42.5485) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 16° 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 Jizan, 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 Jizan, Saudi Arabia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 16° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
1° South in Summer	23° South in Autumn	32° South in Winter	10° 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 Jizan, 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 Jizan, Saudi Arabia.

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 Jizan, Saudi Arabia

Topographical Overview of Jizan

Jizan sits in the southwestern corner of Saudi Arabia along the Red Sea coast, positioned within the Tihamah plain that stretches between the coastline and the inland mountain ranges. This coastal region is characterized by relatively flat, low-lying terrain that gradually rises as it moves eastward toward the Asir Mountains. The immediate area around Jizan features sandy and alluvial plains with gentle undulations, making it one of the more topographically accessible regions in Saudi Arabia.

The Red Sea coastal plain where Jizan is located extends roughly 20 to 60 kilometers inland before meeting the foothills of the Arabian Shield. This plain consists primarily of sedimentary deposits carried down from the highland regions over millennia, creating a landscape of soft, rolling terrain punctuated by occasional low hills and wadis (dry riverbeds) that channel seasonal rainfall toward the sea.

Regional Terrain Characteristics

Moving eastward from Jizan, the landscape begins to change dramatically as the Asir Mountains rise from the coastal plain. These mountains, part of the larger Arabian Shield geological formation, create a striking backdrop to the region with peaks reaching over 3,000 meters in elevation. The transition from the flat coastal areas to the mountainous interior occurs relatively quickly, with steep escarpments and deeply carved valleys marking the boundary between these distinct topographical zones.

The coastal plain itself is intersected by numerous wadis that drain the highland areas during the rainy season. These natural drainage channels create a network of slightly lower-lying areas across the otherwise flat terrain. Between these wadis, the land rises gently to form broad, flat-topped interfluves that represent some of the most stable and accessible terrain in the region.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations around Jizan are found on the elevated interfluves between the major wadi systems, particularly those located 10 to 30 kilometers inland from the coast. These areas offer several advantages including stable, well-drained ground that remains above seasonal flooding, gentle slopes that facilitate construction and maintenance access, and sufficient elevation to avoid coastal humidity effects while remaining easily accessible from existing infrastructure.

The broad plateau areas northeast and southeast of Jizan present particularly attractive opportunities for large-scale solar development. These locations benefit from relatively uniform topography with minimal grading requirements, good drainage characteristics that prevent water accumulation during seasonal rains, and proximity to existing road networks and transmission infrastructure. The terrain in these areas typically features gradual slopes of less than 5 degrees, ideal for optimizing solar panel orientation and minimizing construction costs.

Areas closer to the mountain foothills, while offering excellent solar exposure due to their elevation, present more challenging terrain with steeper slopes and potential issues with seasonal water flow from the highlands. Conversely, locations too close to the coast may face challenges with salt air corrosion and higher humidity levels that can affect equipment performance and maintenance requirements.

The region's geological stability, derived from its position on ancient sedimentary formations, provides a solid foundation for large-scale infrastructure development. The relatively soft underlying geology also facilitates easier installation of ground-mounted systems and associated infrastructure such as access roads and transmission lines.

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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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.