Geneina, Western Darfur, Sudan, located in the tropics at latitude 13.453 and longitude 22.44, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.

Solar Energy Potential

The solar energy output at Geneina is relatively stable across all seasons, with some variations. Spring stands out as the most productive season, generating an impressive 7.91 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer, surprisingly, shows the lowest output at 6.45 kWh/day, while autumn and winter fall in between with 6.98 kWh/day and 6.81 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Geneina, Western Darfur, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 13 degrees facing south. This angle takes into account the location's latitude, the Earth's elliptical orbit, and the daily solar elevation angles to ensure optimal sunlight capture throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Geneina's tropical location provides excellent solar potential, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and sand: The region's arid climate can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency. 2. High temperatures: Extreme heat can slightly decrease solar panel performance. To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be implemented. Additionally, installing panels with a slight tilt (as recommended) can help with natural dust removal during occasional rains. Choosing high-quality, heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help maintain efficiency in high temperatures.

Conclusion

Overall, Geneina presents an ideal location for solar energy production. With its consistent sunlight throughout the year and relatively stable energy output across seasons, it offers excellent potential for sustainable energy generation. By addressing the minor environmental challenges through proper installation and maintenance practices, solar energy systems in Geneina can operate at high efficiency, providing a reliable source of renewable energy for the region.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Sudan by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.453, Longitude: 22.44 (Geneina, 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 13° South in Geneina, Sudan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Geneina, Sudan (Lat/Long 13.453, 22.44) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Geneina, 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 Geneina, Sudan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° North in Summer	20° South in Autumn	29° South in Winter	7° 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 Geneina, 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 Geneina, 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 Geneina, Sudan

The area around Geneina, Sudan, located at approximately 13.453° North latitude and 22.44° East longitude, is characterized by a relatively flat to gently rolling landscape. This region is part of the larger Darfur plateau, which extends across western Sudan. The topography in the vicinity of Geneina consists primarily of semi-arid plains with occasional low hills and shallow valleys.

The elevation of Geneina itself is around 805 meters (2,640 feet) above sea level. As you move away from the city, the terrain gradually changes, with some areas featuring scattered rock outcroppings and dry riverbeds known as wadis. These wadis may fill with water during the brief rainy season but remain dry for most of the year.

To the north and east of Geneina, the landscape becomes increasingly arid, transitioning into the Sahel region, which marks the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. This area is characterized by sparse vegetation and sandy or gravelly soils. To the south and west, the terrain may become slightly more varied, with occasional patches of scrubland and widely spaced trees.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors make the region around Geneina potentially favorable:

1. The flat or gently sloping terrain to the north and east of Geneina would be ideal for solar panel placement, as it requires minimal land preparation and allows for efficient arrangement of panels.
2. The semi-arid climate of the region means there is abundant sunlight throughout much of the year, which is crucial for solar energy generation.
3. Areas with sparse vegetation and limited agricultural use, particularly in the more arid zones to the north, could be repurposed for solar farms with minimal environmental impact.
4. Locations near existing roads or infrastructure would be advantageous for construction and maintenance access, as well as for connecting to the power grid.

However, it's important to note that while the topography and climate are generally suitable for solar PV installations, other factors such as local land use, environmental considerations, and proximity to population centers would need to be carefully evaluated before determining the most appropriate sites for large-scale solar projects in the region.

Sudan solar PV Stats as a country

Sudan ranks 82nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 136 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Sudan is generating 3 Watts from solar PV per capita (Sudan ranks 84th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Sudan?

At this time, there are no incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Sudan. However, the government of Sudan has recently announced plans to increase its renewable energy capacity and is encouraging private sector investment in renewable energy projects. The government has also established a Renewable Energy Fund to support the development of renewable energy projects.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Sudan? 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.