Rumbek, Lakes, South Sudan, situated in the tropics at coordinates 6.8062, 29.6774, presents a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. The consistent sunlight and distinct wet and dry seasons characteristic of tropical climates contribute to its potential for solar power production.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy output in Rumbek remains relatively stable across all seasons, with slight variations:

• Summer: 5.71 kWh/day
• Autumn: 6.00 kWh/day
• Winter: 6.46 kWh/day
• Spring: 6.28 kWh/day

Interestingly, the winter season shows the highest energy production, while summer exhibits the lowest. This pattern is likely due to the region's proximity to the equator, where seasonal variations are less pronounced and influenced more by local weather patterns than by changes in the Earth's tilt.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Rumbek, Lakes, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 7 degrees South. This slight tilt helps optimize energy capture throughout the year, accounting for the sun's position in the sky and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Rumbek's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a distinct wet season, which could potentially impact solar panel efficiency due to increased cloud cover and rainfall. To mitigate this, installers should ensure proper drainage systems are in place and consider using self-cleaning panels or implementing regular cleaning schedules. Dust and sand can also accumulate on panels, especially during the dry season, reducing their efficiency. Implementing automated cleaning systems or scheduling regular manual cleaning can help maintain optimal performance.

Conclusion

Overall, Rumbek's location in South Sudan offers excellent potential for year-round solar energy generation. With proper planning and maintenance, solar installations in this area can provide a reliable and sustainable source of electricity, capitalizing on the region's abundant sunlight and relatively consistent seasonal output.

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 8 locations across South Sudan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in South Sudan by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Rumbek

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.8062, Longitude: 29.6774 (Rumbek, South Sudan), 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 7° South in Rumbek, South Sudan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rumbek, South Sudan (Lat/Long 6.8062, 29.6774) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 7° 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 Rumbek, South Sudan

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 Rumbek, South Sudan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 7° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
9° North in Summer	13° South in Autumn	22° South in Winter	0° 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 Rumbek, South Sudan

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 Rumbek, South Sudan.

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 Rumbek, South Sudan

The topography around Rumbek, South Sudan, is generally characterized by flat to gently rolling plains. This area is part of the vast Sudd wetland region, which is a large swampy expanse in the Nile Basin. The landscape is primarily composed of grasslands and savanna, with scattered trees and shrubs dotting the terrain.

The elevation in and around Rumbek is relatively low, typically ranging between 400 to 500 meters (1,300 to 1,600 feet) above sea level. There are no significant mountain ranges or steep hills in the immediate vicinity. The terrain is mostly level, with occasional slight undulations and shallow depressions that may collect water during the rainy season.

To the north and east of Rumbek, the land gradually slopes down towards the Nile River and its tributaries. To the south and west, the terrain remains relatively flat, extending into the vast plains of South Sudan. The region experiences a tropical savanna climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons, which influences the vegetation and local hydrology.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat and open terrain surrounding Rumbek offers several potential opportunities. The best locations for solar PV would likely be found in the following areas:

1. Open grasslands to the south and west of Rumbek, where there is minimal tree cover and ample space for large installations.
2. Elevated areas slightly north of the town, which may provide better drainage during the rainy season and reduce the risk of flooding.
3. Cleared lands near existing infrastructure, such as roads or power lines, to facilitate easier access and connection to the grid.

When selecting specific sites for solar PV, it's important to consider factors such as soil stability, drainage patterns, and proximity to populated areas. Additionally, areas that are less prone to seasonal flooding would be preferable to ensure the longevity and reliability of the solar installations.

It's worth noting that while the flat terrain is generally favorable for solar PV, the region's distinct wet and dry seasons may pose challenges. Dust accumulation during the dry season and potential flooding during the wet season would need to be factored into the design and maintenance plans for any large-scale solar projects in this area.

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.