Erzurum, Turkey presents a challenging location for year-round solar energy generation, with significant seasonal variations that make it less than ideal for consistent solar PV output throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The location experiences dramatic swings in solar energy production across the seasons. Summer months deliver the strongest performance at 7.33kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making this the prime season for solar generation. Spring also offers good production levels at 6.07kWh per day per kW, providing a solid shoulder season for energy output. However, the colder months present significant challenges. Autumn drops to 3.95kWh per day per kW, while winter plummets to just 2.82kWh per day per kW - less than half the summer production. This creates a pronounced seasonal energy gap that would require careful planning for year-round energy needs.

Optimal Installation Configuration

For maximum year-round energy production at this location, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 35 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 the location's specific latitude.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several local factors can significantly impact solar production in Erzurum:

• Heavy snowfall and ice accumulation - Erzurum experiences harsh winters with substantial snow that can completely block panels
• Extreme temperature fluctuations - The continental climate creates severe thermal stress on equipment
• High altitude effects - Located at significant elevation, creating unique atmospheric conditions
• Frequent cloud cover during winter months - Reducing available sunlight when production is already at its lowest

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production despite these challenges, several installation strategies should be employed: Installing panels at steeper angles (potentially even steeper than the optimal 35 degrees) can help snow slide off more easily, preventing long-term accumulation that blocks sunlight. Using high-quality mounting systems designed for extreme weather conditions ensures panels can withstand heavy snow loads and thermal expansion cycles. Selecting solar panels rated for extreme temperature ranges is crucial, as standard panels may underperform or fail in Erzurum's harsh climate. Anti-reflective coatings and heating elements can be incorporated to prevent ice buildup on panel surfaces. Regular maintenance scheduling becomes essential, particularly snow removal during winter months when production is already compromised. Installing monitoring systems helps identify when panels need cleaning or snow removal. The seasonal nature of solar production in Erzurum means that while summer and spring offer reasonable energy generation, the location requires significant energy storage solutions or grid connectivity to maintain power supply during the low-production autumn and winter months.

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 Erzurum

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.24, Longitude: 41.1149 (Erzurum, 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 35° South in Erzurum, Turkey

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Erzurum, Turkey (Lat/Long 40.24, 41.1149) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Erzurum, 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 Erzurum, Turkey. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	55° South in Winter	33° 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 Erzurum, 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 Erzurum, 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 Erzurum, Turkey

Topography Around Erzurum

Erzurum sits at a high elevation on the Anatolian Plateau in eastern Turkey, positioned within a broad valley surrounded by mountainous terrain. The city itself rests on relatively flat ground at approximately 1,900 meters above sea level, making it one of Turkey's highest major urban centers. This elevated plateau setting creates a distinctive landscape characterized by wide open spaces and gently rolling hills that extend in several directions from the urban core.

The surrounding region features a mix of agricultural plains and gradually rising terrain that leads toward more dramatic mountain ranges. To the north and south of Erzurum, the land transitions from the central valley floor into increasingly rugged topography, with several prominent peaks visible on the horizon. The eastern approaches to the city are marked by more moderate elevation changes, while western areas maintain the plateau character with expansive flatlands broken by occasional low ridges.

The immediate vicinity of Erzurum contains numerous areas of relatively level ground that have traditionally supported farming and grazing activities. These zones typically feature minimal vegetation during certain seasons, with sparse tree cover and predominantly grassland or agricultural use. The high altitude environment results in clear atmospheric conditions for much of the year, with limited industrial development outside the main urban area contributing to generally good air quality.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most promising locations for substantial solar photovoltaic installations lie in the flat to gently sloping areas southwest and southeast of Erzurum city center. These zones offer extensive tracts of open land with minimal topographical obstacles and relatively uniform terrain that would facilitate large-scale construction and maintenance operations. The southwestern areas particularly stand out due to their combination of level ground and distance from residential development.

Agricultural plains extending eastward from the city present another excellent opportunity for solar development, especially areas currently used for seasonal grazing or low-intensity farming. These locations benefit from minimal shading obstacles and good accessibility via existing rural road networks. The terrain in these eastern zones typically features gentle slopes that could be advantageous for optimal panel positioning while maintaining manageable construction requirements.

Areas to the north of Erzurum, while offering some suitable terrain, are generally less favorable due to increasing elevation changes and more complex topography as the land rises toward mountain foothills. The southern approaches similarly become more challenging for large installations as the terrain becomes increasingly uneven. However, smaller-scale developments might still be viable in selected southern locations where local topographical conditions are more favorable.

The high elevation environment around Erzurum provides certain advantages for solar installations, including reduced atmospheric interference and typically stable weather patterns during peak generation seasons. The expansive nature of the plateau setting means that large installations would have minimal impact on existing development while taking advantage of the region's abundant open space and generally favorable positioning for solar energy capture.

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.