Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan, located at 4.5708°N, 28.3942°E, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season cycles.

The solar energy potential in Yambio is relatively stable across all meteorological seasons, with only slight variations. Winter sees the highest output at 6.35 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity, closely followed by spring at 6.29 kWh/day. Autumn produces 5.99 kWh/day, while summer generates 5.49 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Yambio is well-suited for year-round solar energy production, with winter and spring being particularly favorable. The consistent output across seasons suggests that solar installations in this area can provide reliable energy throughout the year, making it an attractive location for solar projects.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Yambio, Western Equatoria, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 5 degrees facing South. This slight tilt helps optimize solar capture by accounting for the location's proximity to the equator and the sun's path throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Yambio's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and particulate matter: The region's dry seasons can lead to increased dust in the air, potentially reducing panel efficiency.
• Heavy rainfall: During the wet season, frequent rain could temporarily reduce solar output.

To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at the recommended 5-degree tilt can also help with natural cleaning during rainfall. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant solar equipment can enhance durability and performance in varying weather conditions.

Overall, Yambio's location presents an excellent opportunity for solar energy production, with consistent year-round output and manageable environmental challenges that can be addressed through proper installation and maintenance practices.

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 Yambio

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 4.5708, Longitude: 28.3942 (Yambio, 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 5° South in Yambio, South Sudan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yambio, South Sudan (Lat/Long 4.5708, 28.3942) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 5° 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 Yambio, 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 Yambio, South Sudan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 5° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° North in Summer	11° South in Autumn	20° South in Winter	2° North 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 Yambio, 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 Yambio, 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 Yambio, South Sudan

The topography around Yambio, South Sudan, is characterized by a gently undulating landscape typical of the region's tropical savanna environment. Located in the southwestern part of the country, Yambio sits at an elevation of approximately 650 meters (2,130 feet) above sea level. The surrounding area features a mix of grasslands, scattered trees, and patches of denser forest. The terrain gradually slopes downward towards the south and east, with occasional small hills and shallow valleys interspersed throughout the landscape. Several seasonal streams and rivers crisscross the region, contributing to the area's agricultural potential. The soil is generally fertile, supporting both natural vegetation and cultivated crops. To the north and west of Yambio, the land becomes slightly more elevated, with some areas reaching heights of up to 700-750 meters above sea level. These higher grounds are often covered with more dense vegetation, including tropical forest patches that are remnants of the once-extensive Congo rainforest.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby Yambio for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The most suitable locations would be relatively flat, open areas with minimal shading from trees or geographical features. These characteristics are more commonly found in the grasslands and savanna regions to the south and east of Yambio. The gently sloping terrain in these directions provides an advantage for solar PV installations, as it allows for natural drainage during the rainy season while still offering ample exposure to sunlight. Areas that are slightly elevated above the surrounding landscape would be particularly beneficial, as they are less likely to be affected by potential flooding and offer unobstructed solar access. It's important to note that while the immediate vicinity of Yambio may have suitable locations, large-scale solar PV projects would need to consider factors beyond just topography. These include proximity to existing power infrastructure, accessibility for construction and maintenance, and the need to balance land use with local agricultural and conservation needs. Additionally, areas that are currently used for agriculture or are designated as protected forests would likely be less suitable for solar PV development. Overall, the open savanna areas within a 20-30 kilometer radius of Yambio, particularly those with good road access and minimal forest cover, would likely offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV installations in the region.

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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.