Solar PV Analysis of Mahdia, Tunisia
The location at Mahdia, Tunisia, is quite suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season. During the summer months, you can expect to generate around 7.55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. In autumn and winter, this output decreases to about 4.34 kWh/day and 3.33 kWh/day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun position in the sky. However, it increases again in spring with an average daily production of approximately 6.23 kWh/kW.
Therefore, if you're looking to maximize your energy generation from a solar PV system in Mahdia, the ideal times would be during summer and spring when sunlight is more abundant.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 31 degrees facing south would help optimize total annual energy production as it aligns them better with the path of the sun across all seasons.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could potentially impede solar production at this location - there aren't any significant ones known specifically for Mahdia or Tunisia's general region that would drastically affect performance levels on a regular basis.
However like anywhere else in the world where there might be dust storms or high winds carrying sand particles etc., these could occasionally cover panels reducing their efficiency temporarily until cleaned off; also bird droppings could have similar effect but less likely so.
To mitigate against such issues preventative measures such as installing protective covers over panels during harsh weather conditions or periods when not operational may help; also setting up regular cleaning schedules especially after storms will ensure optimal performance is maintained.
It's worth noting though that while occasional dust/sand/bird droppings might slightly reduce output temporarily, the overall impact on total annual production is likely to be minimal given the high solar irradiance levels in Mahdia.
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 Mahdia
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.5051, Longitude: 11.0628 (Mahdia, 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 31° South in Mahdia, Tunisia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mahdia, Tunisia (Lat/Long 35.5051, 11.0628) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Mahdia, 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 Mahdia, Tunisia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 Mahdia, 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 Mahdia, Tunisia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Mahdia, Tunisia
Mahdia, Tunisia is a coastal city located on the eastern coast of the country. The topography of this area is relatively flat with slight undulations, making it suitable for various activities including agriculture and infrastructure development. The region around Mahdia is predominantly characterized by sparse vegetation due to its Mediterranean climate.
Given that Tunisia has one of the highest solar irradiations in the Mediterranean basin, areas around Mahdia could be potentially suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. Flat open spaces with little to no shading from buildings or trees would be ideal locations for such installations.
The desert regions towards the south and west of Mahdia may present favorable conditions for large scale solar PV due to their high sun exposure and availability of vast tracts of land. However, these areas are often remote and might require significant investment in transmission infrastructure.
Additionally, rooftops in urban or suburban areas can also serve as potential sites for smaller scale distributed solar PV systems.
It's important to note that while geographical and climatic conditions might favor certain locations over others, factors like local regulations, environmental impact considerations, proximity to electricity grid connections etc., need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale renewable energy project.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 11th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
