Solar Energy Potential in Sanliurfa, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

Sanliurfa, Şanlıurfa, Turkey, positioned at 37.1622° N, 38.8722° E in the Northern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations. The city experiences strong solar potential throughout the year, with performance peaking during the summer months. The seasonal solar production pattern shows clear variation across the year. During summer, solar panels can generate an impressive 8.35kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.52kWh/day per kW installed. Autumn production drops to 4.74kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest output at just 2.94kWh/day per kW of installed capacity.

Optimal Installation Specifications

For fixed solar panel installations in Sanliurfa, Şanlıurfa, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 31 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize annual solar capture based on Sanliurfa's geographical position, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and seasonal sun path variations.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several environmental factors can affect solar production in Sanliurfa. The region experiences hot, dry summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F), which can reduce panel efficiency as photovoltaic cells typically lose efficiency when overheated. To counter this, installing panels with sufficient airflow beneath them and using temperature-resistant models is recommended. Dust accumulation presents another significant challenge in this semi-arid region. Sanliurfa's location makes panels susceptible to dust and sand deposits, particularly during dry periods and when winds blow from nearby arid regions. Regular cleaning schedules, automated cleaning systems, or hydrophobic panel coatings can help maintain optimal production levels. Additionally, Sanliurfa occasionally experiences hailstorms in transitional seasons, though they're relatively infrequent. Installing hail-resistant panels and ensuring proper insurance coverage can mitigate potential damage from such weather events. With proper installation techniques addressing these environmental factors, Sanliurfa remains an excellent location for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn when output is substantially higher than during the 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 Sanliurfa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.1622, Longitude: 38.8722 (Sanliurfa, 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 31° South in Sanliurfa, Turkey

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sanliurfa, Turkey (Lat/Long 37.1622, 38.8722) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Sanliurfa, 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 Sanliurfa, Turkey. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 Sanliurfa, 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 Sanliurfa, 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 Sanliurfa, Turkey

The topography surrounding Sanliurfa, Turkey presents a varied landscape characterized by semi-arid plains, rolling hills, and plateau formations typical of southeastern Anatolia. The city itself sits at approximately 550 meters above sea level on a limestone plateau that overlooks the Harran Plain to the south. This ancient settlement area benefits from its position between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, historically known as Mesopotamia. To the north of Sanliurfa, the terrain gradually rises toward the Taurus Mountains, creating a more rugged landscape with occasional hills and valleys. The southern direction reveals the expansive Harran Plain, a remarkably flat agricultural basin that extends toward the Syrian border. This plain represents one of the most significant features of the local topography, with its notably level terrain that has supported agriculture for millennia.

Solar PV Potential Areas

The Harran Plain south of Sanliurfa stands out as particularly suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. This extensive flat area offers several advantages for solar development: minimal shading concerns, relatively uniform terrain requiring less site preparation, and good accessibility via existing transportation networks. The plain experiences minimal cloud cover throughout most of the year, making it ideal for consistent solar energy production. The gently rolling terrain to the east and west of Sanliurfa also presents viable options for solar development, though with some additional considerations for optimal panel orientation on sloped surfaces. These areas benefit from elevated positions that typically experience less dust accumulation than lower plains, potentially reducing maintenance requirements for photovoltaic installations. Areas to the southeast, extending toward the Syrian border, combine favorable topography with substantial land availability. These semi-arid regions have limited competing land uses compared to the more agriculturally productive sections of the Harran Plain, potentially reducing land-use conflicts for large-scale solar development.

Topographical Considerations

The limestone substrate prevalent throughout much of the region provides relatively stable ground conditions for solar infrastructure foundations. However, some areas exhibit seasonal drainage patterns during the limited rainfall periods, which would require appropriate engineering considerations for facility layout and design. Water access represents an important consideration for solar facility maintenance in this semi-arid environment. Areas closer to existing water infrastructure along the Euphrates River basin might offer advantages for operations requiring periodic panel cleaning, though modern dry-cleaning technologies can mitigate this concern. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with summer temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C. The topography influences these patterns, with lower elevation areas typically experiencing more extreme heat. Solar installations in slightly elevated areas might benefit from marginally cooler operating temperatures, potentially improving photovoltaic efficiency compared to installations in the lowest basin 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!

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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.