Beni Khalled, Nabeul Governorate, Tunisia, located at 36.6478° North, 10.5938° East in the Northern Temperate Zone, presents an interesting case for solar PV energy generation with notable seasonal variations throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Production

Solar energy production in Beni Khalled demonstrates significant fluctuations across the four seasons. Summer stands out as the peak production period, yielding an impressive 7.32 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.96 kWh/day, while autumn generates a moderate 4.02 kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest output at 3.01 kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This seasonal pattern means that solar installations in this location will produce more than twice the electricity in summer months compared to winter. The substantial difference between seasons indicates that system sizing should account for these variations, especially if consistent year-round power is required.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed solar panel installations in Beni Khalled, Nabeul Governorate, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 32 degrees facing South. This carefully calculated angle optimizes the annual solar harvest by balancing seasonal sun positions and accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially affect solar production in Beni Khalled:

• Dust and sand accumulation: Being in North Africa, the location can experience dust and sand deposits that reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance protocols should be implemented, potentially including automated cleaning systems for larger installations.
• Temperature effects: The region's hot summers can reduce PV efficiency as solar panels lose efficiency at higher temperatures. Using panels with better temperature coefficients and ensuring adequate airflow beneath the installation can mitigate these effects.
• Occasional coastal humidity: The proximity to the Mediterranean can cause morning condensation on panels. This typically dissipates as temperatures rise but can temporarily reduce morning production.

Overall, Beni Khalled offers good conditions for solar energy production, with particularly excellent generation potential from late spring through early autumn. While winter output is reduced, it remains viable, making this location suitable for year-round solar generation with proper system sizing to account for seasonal variations.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Tunisia by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Beni Khalled

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.6478, Longitude: 10.5938 (Beni Khalled, Tunisia), 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 32° South in Beni Khalled, Tunisia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Beni Khalled, Tunisia (Lat/Long 36.6478, 10.5938) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Beni Khalled, Tunisia

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 Beni Khalled, Tunisia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
21° South in Summer	41° South in Autumn	51° South in Winter	29° 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 Beni Khalled, Tunisia

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 Beni Khalled, Tunisia.

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 Beni Khalled, Tunisia

The terrain around Beni Khalled in northeastern Tunisia presents a diverse landscape characterized by gentle undulations and rolling hills typical of the Cap Bon peninsula. Situated approximately 36.6478° north and 10.5938° east, Beni Khalled lies in a transitional zone between the more mountainous interior regions and the coastal plains that extend toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Topographical Features

The area surrounding Beni Khalled features predominantly low-elevation terrain with gradual slopes. The elevation generally ranges between 50 to 200 meters above sea level, creating a moderately varied landscape. To the west, the terrain gradually rises toward the Dorsale mountains, while eastward it slopes gently toward the Gulf of Hammamet coastline. The local topography includes several seasonal wadis (dry riverbeds) that channel rainwater during the wet season. These natural drainage features have carved shallow valleys throughout the region, creating a network of gentle depressions between the more elevated areas. Vegetation cover varies considerably, with agricultural land dominating much of the immediate vicinity. Olive groves and other Mediterranean crops occupy significant portions of the landscape, particularly in the flatter areas where soil conditions are favorable.

Solar Potential Areas

Several nearby areas show promising characteristics for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations: The semi-arid plains extending southward from Beni Khalled offer some of the most suitable terrain for solar development. These areas feature relatively flat topography with minimal shadowing effects from surrounding terrain, maximizing exposure to solar radiation throughout the day. The gentle slopes facing south and southwest would be particularly advantageous for fixed-tilt solar arrays. The slightly elevated plateaus to the west of Beni Khalled also present favorable conditions. These areas typically have reduced vegetation coverage and stable ground conditions that would minimize site preparation costs. The higher elevation also tends to experience less dust accumulation than lower-lying areas, potentially reducing maintenance requirements for solar installations. Certain portions of the agricultural belt between Beni Khalled and the coast might be suitable for dual-use solar applications, where agricultural activities could continue beneath elevated solar panels. However, these areas would require careful planning to balance agricultural productivity with energy generation. Areas to avoid include the seasonal wadis and their immediate surroundings due to potential flooding risks, as well as steeper slopes where installation would be more challenging and costly. The more densely vegetated zones would also require significant clearing, raising both environmental concerns and development costs. The relatively stable ground conditions throughout much of the region represent an additional advantage, potentially reducing foundation requirements and associated construction expenses for large-scale solar infrastructure.

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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.