Aksaray, Turkey offers reasonably good conditions for solar photovoltaic energy generation throughout most of the year, though with significant seasonal variation typical of its Northern Temperate Zone location.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences its peak solar energy production during summer months, generating 8.11 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This represents excellent output that makes summer the ideal time for solar generation at this site. Spring provides strong secondary performance at 5.96 kWh per day per kilowatt, making it another favorable season for solar energy production. Autumn output drops to 4.56 kWh per day per kilowatt, which is still reasonable for energy generation. Winter presents the most challenging period, with output falling to just 2.84 kWh per day per kilowatt. This represents about 35% of summer production levels, reflecting the typical seasonal challenges faced by solar installations in temperate climates.

Optimal Panel Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at Aksaray, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total annual output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the year and weighting for actual solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors in the Aksaray region could potentially impact solar energy production:

• Dust accumulation from the arid Central Anatolia climate and occasional sandstorms
• Snow coverage during winter months that can block panels
• Potential for hail damage during severe weather events
• Temperature-related efficiency losses during extremely hot summer periods

Preventative Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be considered:

• Install panels with adequate spacing and tilt to promote natural cleaning from rainfall and reduce snow accumulation
• Use anti-soiling coatings on panel surfaces to minimize dust adhesion
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during dusty periods
• Choose panels rated for impact resistance to withstand potential hail
• Ensure proper ventilation around panels to reduce heat buildup and maintain efficiency
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize impact of partial shading or soiling on individual panels

Overall, Aksaray represents a moderately favorable location for solar energy generation, with excellent summer performance offsetting the reduced winter output typical of temperate zone installations.

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 165 locations across Turkey. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Turkey by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Aksaray

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.2899, Longitude: 34.0955 (Aksaray, Turkey), 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 33° South in Aksaray, Turkey

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aksaray, Turkey (Lat/Long 38.2899, 34.0955) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Aksaray, Turkey

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 Aksaray, Turkey. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
22° South in Summer	42° South in Autumn	53° 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 Aksaray, Turkey

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 Aksaray, Turkey.

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 Aksaray, Turkey

Topographical Features of the Aksaray Region

The landscape around Aksaray in central Turkey presents a fascinating blend of volcanic formations, expansive plains, and dramatic geological features. This region sits within the Central Anatolia plateau, characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain punctuated by distinctive volcanic peaks and ancient lava flows. The famous Cappadocia region extends into the northern portions of this area, creating a unique topographical signature of fairy chimneys, carved valleys, and soft volcanic rock formations. Mount Hasan, a prominent stratovolcano, dominates the southwestern horizon at over 3,200 meters elevation, while the terrain around Aksaray itself maintains a more moderate elevation of approximately 1,000 meters above sea level. The Melendiz River valley cuts through the landscape, creating some localized elevation changes, but the overall character remains one of broad, open spaces with gentle gradients. The geological foundation consists primarily of volcanic tuff and ignimbrite deposits, overlain in many areas by sedimentary layers. This creates a landscape that is generally stable for construction purposes, though the softer volcanic materials in some areas require careful engineering consideration. Agricultural fields dominate much of the surrounding countryside, indicating relatively flat, accessible terrain.

Climate and Environmental Conditions

Aksaray experiences a continental semi-arid climate with distinct seasonal variations. Summers bring hot, dry conditions with minimal cloud cover, while winters can be quite cold with occasional snowfall. The region receives limited annual precipitation, concentrated mainly in the spring and autumn months. This climate pattern, combined with the high elevation and clear atmospheric conditions typical of the Central Anatolian plateau, creates favorable conditions for solar energy generation. Wind patterns in the region are generally moderate, though occasional strong winds can occur, particularly during seasonal transitions. The dry climate means low humidity levels throughout much of the year, which helps maintain clear atmospheric conditions beneficial for solar radiation reception.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The broad agricultural plains extending southward and eastward from Aksaray city center offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas feature minimal topographical variation, excellent accessibility via existing road networks, and sufficient distance from sensitive archaeological and tourist sites that characterize other portions of the region. The Konya Plain extension, which stretches southeast of Aksaray, provides particularly suitable terrain with vast expanses of relatively flat land, minimal shading from topographical features, and existing infrastructure connections. This area benefits from stable geological conditions and lacks the complex rock formations that make the northern Cappadocia region challenging for large construction projects. Areas to the southwest, while topographically suitable in some locations, may present challenges due to proximity to Mount Hasan and associated volcanic activity zones. The terrain becomes more varied and potentially less suitable for extensive solar arrays as one approaches the mountain's foothills. The eastern approaches toward the Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) region also offer promising conditions, with flat terrain and minimal competing land uses. However, environmental considerations related to the salt lake ecosystem and seasonal flooding patterns would require careful evaluation for any large-scale development. Transportation infrastructure accessibility strongly favors locations along the major highway corridors, particularly those connecting to the national power grid infrastructure. The relatively flat terrain throughout much of the region means that grid connection distances and associated costs could be minimized with proper site selection.

Turkey solar PV Stats as a country

Turkey ranks 16th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 7,817 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 5.90% of Turkey's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 14th in the world). Each year Turkey is generating 92 Watts from solar PV per capita (Turkey ranks 41st in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Turkey?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Turkey. The Turkish government offers a number of financial incentives and tax breaks for businesses that invest in renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include grants, loans, and tax credits. Additionally, the government has set up a feed-in tariff system which guarantees a certain price per kilowatt hour of electricity generated from solar panels. This helps to make investing in solar energy more attractive to businesses.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Turkey? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.