Latakia, Syria, situated at coordinates 35.5276, 35.7851, offers a promising location for solar energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. This coastal city in the Northern Temperate Zone experiences varying levels of solar potential throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy production in Latakia fluctuates significantly across seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 8.32 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 6.82 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.96 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.20 kWh/day.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most favorable time for solar energy generation in Latakia spans from late spring through early autumn. This period, roughly from May to September, offers longer daylight hours and clearer skies, maximizing the potential for solar PV systems. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive winter months, the region still receives a reasonable amount of sunlight for energy generation.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed solar panel installations in Latakia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the sun's changing position in the sky across seasons.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Latakia's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few factors that could potentially impact efficiency: 1. Coastal humidity: Being a coastal city, Latakia experiences higher humidity levels, which can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular cleaning of panels can help mitigate this issue. 2. Dust storms: Occasional dust storms from nearby desert regions can deposit particles on solar panels, reducing their effectiveness. Installing panels at a steeper angle and implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help combat this problem. 3. Winter cloudiness: The winter months see increased cloud cover, which explains the lower energy output during this season. Using high-efficiency panels can help maximize production even under less-than-ideal conditions. To address these factors, implementing a robust maintenance plan, including regular cleaning and inspections, is crucial. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and inverters designed to perform well in coastal environments can help ensure optimal energy production throughout the year. In conclusion, despite some seasonal variations and minor environmental challenges, Latakia's location offers a favorable setting for solar PV energy generation, particularly during the extended summer period.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 8 locations across Syria. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Syria by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5276, Longitude: 35.7851 (Latakia, Syria), 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 30° South in Latakia, Syria

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Latakia, Syria (Lat/Long 35.5276, 35.7851) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Latakia, Syria

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 Latakia, Syria. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° South in Summer	40° South in Autumn	50° South in Winter	28° 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 Latakia, Syria

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 Latakia, Syria.

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 Latakia, Syria

The topography around Latakia, Syria is quite diverse and interesting. Latakia is a coastal city located on the Mediterranean Sea, and its immediate surroundings are characterized by a narrow coastal plain. This flat area along the coast is relatively small, extending only a few kilometers inland before the terrain begins to change dramatically.

As you move eastward from the coast, the landscape quickly transitions into the Coastal Mountain Range, also known as the Nusayriyah Mountains or Alawite Mountains. These mountains rise steeply from the coastal plain, creating a striking contrast between the flat shoreline and the rugged highlands. The mountains in this range typically reach heights of 1,000 to 1,500 meters (3,300 to 4,900 feet) above sea level, with some peaks exceeding these elevations.

The Coastal Mountain Range runs parallel to the Mediterranean coast for about 100 kilometers (62 miles), forming a natural barrier between the coastal region and the interior of Syria. The western slopes of these mountains facing the sea are generally steeper and more abrupt, while the eastern slopes tend to be gentler, gradually descending towards the interior plains.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

The coastal plain, while flat and easily accessible, is likely too valuable for agriculture and urban development to be used for solar farms. Additionally, the narrow width of this plain limits the available space for large-scale installations.

The mountain slopes, particularly those facing south and southwest, could potentially be suitable for solar PV. These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year. However, the steepness of the terrain and the presence of forests in some parts may pose challenges for construction and maintenance.

The most promising areas for large-scale solar PV installations are likely to be found on the eastern side of the Coastal Mountain Range, where the terrain becomes flatter and transitions into interior plains. These areas, located further inland from Latakia, offer several advantages:

• They tend to have more open, less developed land available.
• The terrain is generally flatter, making construction and maintenance easier.
• There is less competition for land use compared to the densely populated coastal areas.
• The climate in these inland areas is typically drier with less cloud cover, which is beneficial for solar energy production.

However, it's important to note that the specific suitability of any site for solar PV would require detailed on-the-ground assessments, considering factors such as exact local topography, land ownership, grid connectivity, and environmental impact.

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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

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