Sukrah, Ariana Governorate, Tunisia presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar photovoltaic energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation in output potential.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at this Northern Temperate Zone location shows considerable fluctuation throughout the year. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 7.34 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent period for solar generation. Spring also provides good output at 5.98 kWh per day per kW, representing the second-best season for energy production. Autumn performance drops to 4.02 kWh per day per kW, while winter shows the weakest output at just 3.01 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. This winter figure represents less than half of the summer production, highlighting the seasonal challenge for consistent year-round generation. For optimal performance from a fixed panel installation at Sukrah, Ariana Governorate, panels should be tilted at 32 degrees facing south to maximize total annual energy production.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Several environmental factors in Tunisia's climate could potentially impact solar panel performance and require consideration during installation:

• Sand and dust accumulation from Saharan winds, which can significantly reduce panel efficiency
• High summer temperatures that may cause thermal losses in panel performance
• Occasional sandstorms that can coat panels and block sunlight
• Salt air effects in coastal areas that may cause corrosion over time

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several protective measures should be implemented. Regular cleaning systems or easy access for manual cleaning becomes essential to combat dust accumulation. Installing panels with adequate ventilation spacing underneath helps manage high temperature effects during summer months. Choosing corrosion-resistant mounting hardware and panel frames helps combat salt air exposure. Additionally, selecting panels and inverters rated for high-temperature operation ensures better performance during Tunisia's hot summer periods when production potential is at its peak. The location offers reasonable solar potential, particularly during the warmer months, but requires proper planning and maintenance to achieve optimal long-term performance.

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 Sukrah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 36.8802, Longitude: 10.2485 (Sukrah, 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 Sukrah, Tunisia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sukrah, Tunisia (Lat/Long 36.8802, 10.2485) 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 Sukrah, 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 Sukrah, 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 Sukrah, 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 Sukrah, 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 Sukrah, Tunisia

Topographical Features of Sukrah

Sukrah sits in the northeastern coastal region of Tunisia, positioned within the Cap Bon Peninsula approximately 60 kilometers northeast of Tunis. The immediate terrain around Sukrah is characterized by gently rolling hills and relatively flat agricultural plains that extend inland from the Mediterranean coastline. The elevation in this area remains modest, with the landscape gradually rising from sea level to low hills that rarely exceed 200 meters in height. The region features a predominantly Mediterranean coastal plain topography, with fertile alluvial soils that have historically supported extensive agricultural activities. The terrain slopes gently away from the coast, creating natural drainage patterns that flow toward the Mediterranean Sea. Small valleys and depressions dot the landscape between the low ridges, creating a varied but generally accessible terrain profile.

Geological and Soil Characteristics

The underlying geology consists primarily of sedimentary formations typical of the North African coastal regions. Limestone and sandstone formations create a stable foundation, while surface soils vary from sandy coastal deposits near the Mediterranean to clay-rich agricultural soils further inland. The relatively stable geological conditions and moderate relief make this area suitable for large-scale infrastructure development. The absence of significant geological hazards such as major fault lines or unstable soil conditions contributes to the region's suitability for substantial construction projects. Drainage characteristics are generally favorable, with natural water flow patterns that prevent problematic water accumulation in most areas.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations lie on the gently sloping inland plains, particularly those areas situated 10 to 30 kilometers southwest and west of Sukrah. These locations offer several advantages including relatively flat terrain that minimizes grading and construction costs, while maintaining sufficient elevation to ensure proper drainage and avoid low-lying areas prone to moisture retention. The rolling agricultural plains extending toward the interior provide expansive tracts of land with consistent southern exposure and minimal topographical obstacles. Areas with gentle south-facing slopes of 2 to 5 degrees would be particularly advantageous, as they naturally optimize solar panel orientation while maintaining construction feasibility. Locations situated on the higher elevation plateaus between Sukrah and the inland town of Grombalia present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar development. These areas combine favorable topographical conditions with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, while being sufficiently removed from prime agricultural zones and residential areas.

Infrastructure and Access Considerations

The regional road network provides reasonable access to potential solar development sites, with major highways connecting the area to Tunis and other significant population centers. The relatively gentle topography throughout the region means that access roads to solar installations can be constructed without excessive engineering challenges or environmental disruption. Proximity to the national electrical grid infrastructure represents a significant advantage, as the region already supports agricultural and residential electrical demands. The stable, accessible terrain would facilitate the construction of necessary transmission lines and substations required for large-scale solar energy integration into the national power system.

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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.