Le Bardo, Tunis Governorate, Tunisia offers reasonably good conditions for solar PV energy generation throughout most of the year, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location shows strong summer performance with 7.34kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making the warmer months highly productive for solar energy generation. Spring also delivers solid results at 5.98kWh per day per kW, providing another excellent season for solar production. However, winter presents more challenging conditions with output dropping to just 3.01kWh per day per kW - less than half the summer production. Autumn sits in the middle range at 4.02kWh per day per kW, still providing reasonable energy generation. For optimal year-round performance at Le Bardo, Tunis Governorate, fixed solar panels should be tilted at 32 degrees facing South. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's changing position throughout the seasons.

Environmental Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several local environmental factors could potentially impact solar energy generation at this Tunisian location:

• Dust and Sand Accumulation: Tunisia's proximity to the Sahara Desert means regular dust storms and airborne sand particles can coat solar panels, significantly reducing their efficiency
• Sirocco Winds: Hot, dry winds from the desert carry fine particles that can build up on panel surfaces
• Occasional Rainfall Patterns: While beneficial for natural cleaning, irregular precipitation means panels may stay dusty for extended periods

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

To combat these challenges and maintain optimal energy production, several installation strategies prove effective: Regular cleaning schedules become essential, with monthly or bi-monthly panel washing recommended during dusty seasons. Installing automated cleaning systems or easy-access mounting can make maintenance more practical. Choosing panels with anti-soiling coatings helps reduce dust adhesion and makes natural cleaning from occasional rainfall more effective. Proper panel spacing allows better air circulation, helping prevent excessive dust buildup. Installing monitoring systems enables quick detection of performance drops due to soiling, allowing for timely cleaning interventions. Strategic positioning away from major dust sources and ensuring adequate tilt helps panels self-clean better during rain events.

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 Le Bardo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8076, Longitude: 10.1364 (Le Bardo, 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 Le Bardo, Tunisia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Le Bardo, Tunisia (Lat/Long 36.8076, 10.1364) 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 Le Bardo, 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 Le Bardo, 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	52° 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 Le Bardo, 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 Le Bardo, 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 Le Bardo, Tunisia

Topographical Features of Le Bardo

Le Bardo sits in the northern region of Tunisia, positioned within the greater Tunis metropolitan area approximately 4 kilometers northwest of the capital city center. The terrain around Le Bardo is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively modest elevation changes typical of the coastal plains that extend inland from the Mediterranean Sea. The area lies at a moderate elevation above sea level, creating a landscape that slopes gradually toward the coast. The topography consists primarily of low-lying hills interspersed with flat to gently undulating plains. These features are part of the broader Tell Atlas foothills that characterize much of northern Tunisia. The terrain is generally well-drained, with seasonal watercourses that flow toward the larger drainage systems leading to the Mediterranean. The soil composition includes both alluvial deposits in the flatter areas and weathered limestone and sandstone formations on the hillsides.

Regional Terrain Characteristics

Moving outward from Le Bardo, the landscape transitions into more varied topographical features. To the north and northeast, the terrain continues its gentle descent toward the coast, while to the south and west, the elevation gradually increases as the land rises toward the interior highlands. The surrounding countryside features a mix of agricultural land, urban development, and natural vegetation adapted to the Mediterranean climate. The area experiences typical Mediterranean topographical influences, with winter rainfall creating temporary streams and seasonal pools in the lower-lying areas. The hillsides are generally stable, composed of sedimentary rocks that have been shaped by centuries of weathering and erosion. Vegetation coverage varies with elevation and aspect, with denser growth on north-facing slopes and more sparse coverage on sun-exposed southern aspects.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Le Bardo would be the extensive flat to gently sloping plains that extend to the south and southwest of the city. These areas offer several advantages including minimal grading requirements, stable geological conditions, and sufficient space for large arrays. The relatively uniform topography in these zones would allow for efficient panel placement and maintenance access. The elevated plateaus and broad ridgetops in the surrounding region also present excellent opportunities for solar development. These locations benefit from consistent exposure and are typically free from the shadows cast by nearby terrain features. The stable, well-drained soils on these elevated areas provide solid foundations for mounting systems while minimizing concerns about seasonal water accumulation. Areas with southern and southwestern exposures on the gentle hillsides would be particularly well-suited for solar installations. The natural slope of the terrain can be advantageous for optimal panel angling while providing natural drainage. The open agricultural lands that characterize much of the region around Le Bardo offer large, relatively unobstructed spaces that could accommodate utility-scale solar farms with minimal environmental disruption. The proximity to existing electrical infrastructure serving the Tunis metropolitan area represents an additional advantage for solar development in this region. The established road networks and relatively flat terrain would facilitate both construction and ongoing maintenance operations for large-scale solar installations.

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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.