Solar PV Analysis of Sfax, Tunisia
Sfax, Tunisia, situated at 34.741°N, 10.7648°E, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This coastal city in the Northern Sub Tropics experiences varying levels of solar energy production across the seasons, with notable peaks and troughs.
Seasonal Solar Production
Summer stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 7.67 kWh per day for each kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 6.48 kWh/day. Autumn sees a significant drop to 4.65 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.63 kWh/day per kW installed.
The substantial difference between summer and winter production highlights the region's seasonal variations. However, even during the least productive winter months, Sfax still maintains a respectable solar energy output, making it a viable location for year-round solar power generation.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Sfax, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 30-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the city's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring the best overall performance throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Sfax's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Coastal dust and salt spray: Being a coastal city, Sfax may experience salt spray and dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their efficiency.
- Occasional sandstorms: The proximity to the Sahara Desert means Sfax can be affected by sandstorms, which could temporarily decrease solar panel performance.
To mitigate these issues, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing protective covers or using hydrophobic coatings can help reduce dust and salt accumulation. Additionally, choosing high-quality, dust-resistant solar panels can enhance long-term performance in this environment.
Despite these minor challenges, Sfax's location remains highly suitable for solar energy production. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide consistent and substantial energy output throughout the year.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° 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 Sfax
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.741, Longitude: 10.7648 (Sfax, 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 30° South in Sfax, Tunisia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sfax, Tunisia (Lat/Long 34.741, 10.7648) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Sfax, 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 Sfax, Tunisia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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 | 39° South in Autumn | 50° South in Winter | 27° 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 Sfax, 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 Sfax, 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 Sfax, Tunisia
The topography around Sfax, Tunisia is predominantly flat and coastal. Sfax is located on the eastern coast of Tunisia, facing the Mediterranean Sea. The city and its surrounding areas are characterized by a relatively level landscape with minimal elevation changes. This coastal plain extends for several kilometers inland before gradually transitioning to slightly more elevated terrain.
To the west of Sfax, the land slowly rises as you move away from the coast. However, this increase in elevation is gentle and occurs over a large distance. There are no significant mountains or hills in the immediate vicinity of Sfax. The terrain is mostly comprised of arid and semi-arid landscapes, typical of the Mediterranean coastal regions in North Africa.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play:
- Inland plains: The flat areas to the west and southwest of Sfax would be ideal for solar PV projects. These regions offer vast, open spaces with minimal topographical obstacles, allowing for efficient arrangement of solar panels.
- Semi-arid zones: The semi-arid regions surrounding Sfax receive ample sunlight throughout the year, making them excellent candidates for solar energy production. These areas often have sparse vegetation and limited agricultural use, reducing potential land-use conflicts.
- Elevated plateaus: While not immediately adjacent to Sfax, the slightly elevated plateaus further inland could provide good locations for solar farms. These areas may benefit from reduced dust and sand compared to lower-lying regions, which can improve solar panel efficiency.
It's important to note that while the topography is favorable for solar PV installations, other factors such as proximity to power infrastructure, land ownership, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning large-scale solar projects in the region.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 14th of October 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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