Melikgazi, Kayseri, Turkey presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of its Northern Temperate Zone climate.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows substantial fluctuation throughout the year. Summer delivers the highest production at 8.15 kWh per day per kW of installed capacity, making it an excellent season for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best performing season with 6.08 kWh per day per kW, providing strong energy yields during the transition months. Autumn performance drops to 4.57 kWh per day per kW, representing a moderate energy production period. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 3.10 kWh per day per kW, reflecting the typical reduced solar availability during colder months in temperate regions. For optimal year-round performance at Melikgazi, Kayseri, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 33 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual energy production by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the seasons and the location's specific latitude.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in the Melikgazi region can impact solar panel efficiency and should be considered during installation planning. Dust and Particulate Matter: Central Anatolia experiences periodic dust storms and has generally dry conditions that can lead to dust accumulation on solar panels. This buildup reduces light transmission and decreases energy output over time. Snow and Ice Coverage: Winter conditions can bring snow and ice formation on panels, completely blocking solar radiation during accumulation periods and reducing the already limited winter production capacity. Temperature Extremes: The continental climate features hot summers and cold winters, with significant temperature swings that can stress solar equipment and reduce panel efficiency during extreme heat periods.

Preventative Installation Measures

Several strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these local challenges:

• Install panels with adequate spacing for air circulation to prevent overheating during summer months
• Use mounting systems that allow panels to be tilted at steeper angles to facilitate natural snow shedding
• Implement regular cleaning schedules or automated cleaning systems to remove dust accumulation
• Select high-quality panels with good temperature coefficients to maintain efficiency during heat waves
• Ensure proper grounding and surge protection for equipment longevity in variable weather conditions

The location offers reasonable solar potential, particularly during spring and summer months, making it a viable option for solar PV installations when proper planning addresses the regional environmental challenges.

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 Melikgazi

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 38.7259, Longitude: 36.2124 (Melikgazi, 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 Melikgazi, Turkey

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Melikgazi, Turkey (Lat/Long 38.7259, 36.2124) 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 Melikgazi, 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 Melikgazi, 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	43° South in Autumn	53° South in Winter	31° 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 Melikgazi, 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 Melikgazi, 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 Melikgazi, Turkey

Topographical Features of the Melikgazi Region

The area around Melikgazi, located in Turkey's Central Anatolia region near Kayseri, sits within a distinctive highland plateau landscape characterized by relatively flat to gently rolling terrain. This central Anatolian plateau averages approximately 1,000 to 1,200 meters above sea level, creating an elevated plain that extends across much of the surrounding region. The topography is generally open and expansive, with few significant obstacles to development or infrastructure placement. The landscape features broad, sweeping valleys interspersed with low hills and occasional volcanic formations that are remnants of the region's geological history. Mount Erciyes, an extinct stratovolcano, dominates the southern horizon at over 3,900 meters elevation, though it lies at a considerable distance from the immediate Melikgazi area. The terrain closer to the city consists primarily of sedimentary plains and gentle undulations that rarely exceed 200-300 meters in elevation change across large areas. Agricultural fields and pasturelands cover much of the surrounding countryside, indicating that the land is generally stable, well-drained, and suitable for development. The region experiences a continental climate with distinct seasonal variations, and the high altitude contributes to clear atmospheric conditions for much of the year.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The expansive plateau lands extending south and southwest of Melikgazi present excellent opportunities for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas offer vast stretches of relatively flat terrain with minimal topographical barriers, allowing for efficient panel placement and maintenance access. The gentle slopes in these directions provide natural drainage while maintaining optimal angles for solar collection throughout the day. The agricultural plains to the east and southeast of the city also demonstrate strong potential for solar development, particularly on land that may be less productive for farming or where dual land use arrangements could be established. These areas benefit from unobstructed southern exposure and minimal shading from geographical features. Areas immediately north of Melikgazi, while still topographically suitable, may face some limitations due to closer proximity to existing urban development and infrastructure. However, the northern plains still offer considerable space for medium to large-scale installations where land availability permits. The key advantages of this region for solar development include the consistent elevation that minimizes atmospheric interference, the absence of significant mountain ranges or forests that could create shading issues, and the generally stable geological conditions that support long-term infrastructure investment. The existing road network and proximity to regional power transmission infrastructure further enhance the viability of solar projects in the surrounding plateau areas.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.