Solar PV Analysis of Manouba, Tunisia
Manouba, Tunisia, located in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. The city's geographical coordinates (36.8061°N, 10.0931°E) provide favorable conditions for harnessing solar power throughout the year, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Energy Production
Solar energy production in Manouba fluctuates significantly across the four meteorological seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 7.32 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most efficient season, generating 5.99 kWh per day. Autumn sees a decrease in production, yielding 4.08 kWh daily, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.08 kWh per day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal time for solar energy production in Manouba is during the summer months, typically from June to August. This period offers longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing the potential of solar PV systems. Spring (March to May) also presents excellent conditions for solar generation, with increasing daylight and moderate temperatures. While autumn and winter months produce less energy, they still contribute significantly to the overall annual output.
Panel Installation and Optimization
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Manouba, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Considerations
While Manouba generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact efficiency:
- Dust and sand: Given Tunisia's proximity to desert regions, dust and sand accumulation on solar panels can reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels is crucial to maintain optimal performance.
- High temperatures: During peak summer months, extreme heat can slightly decrease the efficiency of solar panels. Choosing high-quality, heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help mitigate this issue.
To address these challenges, implementing a regular cleaning schedule for the panels and using protective coatings can help maintain efficiency. Additionally, installing panels with a slight elevation from the roof or ground can improve air circulation and reduce heat buildup.
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 Manouba
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8061, Longitude: 10.0931 (Manouba, 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 Manouba, Tunisia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Manouba, Tunisia (Lat/Long 36.8061, 10.0931) 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 Manouba, 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 Manouba, 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 Manouba, 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 Manouba, 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 Manouba, Tunisia
The topography around Manouba, Tunisia, is characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. Manouba is located in northern Tunisia, just west of the capital city Tunis. The area is part of a broader coastal plain that extends along much of Tunisia's northern coastline.
The landscape in and around Manouba is predominantly low-lying, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 100 meters above sea level. As you move slightly inland from the coast, the terrain becomes more undulating, with small hills and shallow valleys. The region is part of the fertile Medjerda Valley, which is known for its agricultural productivity.
To the south and southwest of Manouba, the terrain gradually becomes more hilly as it transitions into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. However, these more significant elevation changes occur some distance from Manouba itself.
Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Manouba would likely be found to the south and southwest of the city. These regions offer several advantages:
- Flatter terrain: The areas to the south and southwest tend to have more expansive, open spaces with relatively flat topography, which is ideal for solar panel installation.
- Lower population density: Moving away from the densely populated coastal areas provides more available land for large-scale projects.
- Higher solar irradiance: As you move inland and southward in Tunisia, the climate becomes more arid, with clearer skies and higher solar radiation levels.
- Proximity to infrastructure: These areas are still close enough to major cities and infrastructure to allow for efficient energy distribution.
Specific regions that might be particularly well-suited for solar PV development include the plains around Zaghouan, Enfidha, and Kairouan. These areas combine favorable topography with high solar potential and are located within a reasonable distance from Manouba and other major population centers.
It's important to note that while the topography and climate in these areas are generally suitable for solar PV, any large-scale project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies and grid connection feasibility analyses.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 24th of July 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.
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