Solar Energy Potential in Menzel Jemil, Bizerte Governorate, Tunisia

Menzel Jemil, Bizerte Governorate, Tunisia, located at latitude 37.237 and longitude 9.9114 in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that potential solar developers should consider. The solar energy output at this location shows a clear seasonal pattern. Summer stands out as the most productive season, generating an impressive 7.34kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.01kWh/day per installed kilowatt. These two seasons represent the optimal periods for solar energy generation in Menzel Jemil. In contrast, autumn and winter show considerably lower production figures. Autumn yields 3.87kWh/day while winter drops to just 2.79kWh/day per kilowatt installed. This winter figure represents only about 38% of the summer production capacity, highlighting the significant seasonal variation at this location.

Optimal Panel Installation

For maximizing year-round solar energy production in Menzel Jemil, Bizerte Governorate, fixed solar panels should be installed at a 32-degree tilt facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize the annual solar energy capture based on the location's latitude and seasonal solar patterns.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could impact solar production at this location. Menzel Jemil's coastal position means salt spray from the Mediterranean Sea can accumulate on solar panels, potentially reducing efficiency over time. Regular cleaning with fresh water can mitigate this issue. Dust and sand are also significant concerns in this North African location. Dust accumulation can reduce panel efficiency by 10-30% if not addressed. Installing panels at the recommended 32-degree angle helps with natural cleaning during rainfall, but implementing a regular cleaning schedule remains essential. Temperature is another consideration, as solar panel efficiency decreases in extreme heat. Ensuring adequate airflow beneath panels during installation can help manage this issue during the hot summer months when production would otherwise be at its peak. Finally, the significant seasonal variation means that system sizing should account for the winter production dip. Incorporating energy storage solutions or grid connection would be advisable to balance the nearly threefold difference between summer and winter daily production rates.

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 Menzel Jemil

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.237, Longitude: 9.9114 (Menzel Jemil, 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 Menzel Jemil, Tunisia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Menzel Jemil, Tunisia (Lat/Long 37.237, 9.9114) 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 Menzel Jemil, 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 Menzel Jemil, 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	30° 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 Menzel Jemil, 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 Menzel Jemil, 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 Menzel Jemil, Tunisia

The area around Menzel Jemil, Tunisia presents a diverse topographical landscape characterized by gentle coastal plains transitioning to more elevated terrain as one moves inland. Located in northern Tunisia near the Mediterranean Sea, Menzel Jemil sits within the Gulf of Bizerte region, approximately 60 kilometers north of Tunis.

The immediate vicinity of Menzel Jemil features relatively flat to gently undulating terrain, with elevations generally ranging from sea level to about 50 meters. The town itself is positioned on the southern shores of Lake Bizerte (also called Lac de Bizerte), a large saltwater lagoon connected to the Mediterranean Sea. This coastal positioning creates a transition zone between maritime and inland environments.

Regional Topographical Features

Moving slightly inland from Menzel Jemil, the landscape begins to rise gradually, forming low hills and plateaus. These elevated areas typically reach 100-300 meters above sea level and form part of the Tell Atlas mountain range's northeastern extent. The terrain becomes increasingly irregular with numerous small valleys and ridgelines creating a patchwork of slopes with varying aspects.

To the west and southwest, the topography becomes more pronounced with higher elevations and steeper slopes as the land rises toward the more substantial mountains of the Tell Atlas. In contrast, the eastern and southeastern directions maintain a gentler profile with broader plains extending toward Cape Bon peninsula.

The hydrological features of the region include not only Lake Bizerte but also several seasonal wadis (dry riverbeds that carry water during rainy periods) that have carved shallow valleys throughout the landscape.

Suitability for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several areas near Menzel Jemil show promising characteristics. The most suitable locations would be:

The inland plains to the south and southeast of Menzel Jemil offer excellent potential for solar development. These areas combine favorable attributes including relatively flat terrain (reducing construction costs), good solar exposure, and proximity to existing infrastructure. The gently sloping lands between Menzel Jemil and Mateur, approximately 15-20 kilometers to the south, present particularly advantageous conditions.

The elevated plateaus to the southwest also merit consideration. Though slightly more undulating, these areas typically experience less coastal influence (reduced humidity and fog) and maintain excellent solar exposure throughout the year. The higher terrain between Menzel Jemil and Tinja offers several potential sites where the combination of elevation and aspect could maximize solar collection efficiency.

Areas to avoid would include the immediate coastal zones, which may experience more frequent cloud cover from maritime influences, and the steeper hillsides to the west where construction challenges and shadowing effects could reduce operational efficiency.

The semi-arid nature of much of this landscape also presents an advantage for solar development, as vegetation is typically sparse, reducing land clearance requirements and potential environmental impacts. Additionally, the region's well-developed road network facilitates access for construction and maintenance purposes.

The broad plains extending toward Mateur and the plateau regions between Menzel Jemil and Bizerte city represent the optimal balance of favorable topography, solar exposure, and logistical accessibility for large-scale photovoltaic 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.