Trabzon, Turkey, located in the northern temperate zone, offers a moderate potential for solar energy production throughout the year. During summer and spring, with 6.45kWh/day and 5.57kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels, it provides a good opportunity to generate substantial amounts of solar energy due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight. However, during autumn and winter months (3.65kWh/day and 2.56kWh/day), the potential drops due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To maximize overall yearly energy production from solar panels in Trabzon, it would be best to tilt them at an angle of 35 degrees towards the south; this position allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over different seasons.
However, there could be some local factors that might impact the efficiency of solar power generation here. For instance:
1) Weather: Trabzon has a mixed climate with hot summers but also heavy rainfall particularly in autumn which could reduce sunlight exposure for panels.
2) Environmental: The city is surrounded by mountains which may cause shadows on panels especially during early morning or late afternoon times depending on their location.
Preventative measures can be taken when installing solar panels such as:
1) Weather-proofing: This includes using durable materials for panel construction that can withstand heavy rainfalls without damaging its efficiency.
2) Positioning: Careful consideration should be given when placing your PV system - avoid locations where shadows from nearby buildings or mountains could fall onto your panel especially during peak sun hours.
By taking into account these factors during installation process we can ensure greater energy production from our Solar PV system in Trabzon despite local 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 Trabzon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 40.8945, Longitude: 39.7973 (Trabzon, 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 Trabzon, Turkey
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Trabzon, Turkey (Lat/Long 40.8945, 39.7973) 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 Trabzon, 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 Trabzon, 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 | 45° 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 Trabzon, 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 Trabzon, Turkey.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Trabzon, Turkey
Trabzon, Turkey is located in the northeastern part of the country along the Black Sea coast. The topography of this region is characterized by its high mountains and steep slopes, which are part of the Pontic Mountain range. The area also features lush green forests, rivers, and valleys.
Despite its mountainous terrain, Trabzon has areas that could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, these would likely need to be placed on more leveled or gently sloping areas to maximize sun exposure and minimize installation challenges.
Potential locations might include:
1. Plateaus: There are several plateaus in Trabzon like Hidirnebi Plateau and Sultan Murat Plateau which could be potential sites due to their relatively flat terrain.
2. Coastal Areas: Some coastal regions may have less steep slopes compared to mountainous regions.
3. Agricultural Lands: If there are non-productive agricultural lands available (or those used for crops not sensitive to shading), they can also be considered.
However, it's important to note that factors such as local climate conditions (amount of sunlight received), land use regulations, proximity to power grids or infrastructure would all need to be taken into account while determining suitability for solar PV installations.
The nearby provinces with flatter terrains such as Giresun or Samsun may provide more suitable locations for large-scale solar PV projects due their less rugged topography compared with Trabzon.
Finally, a detailed feasibility study including site inspections would always needed before making any decisions regarding large scale solar energy projects.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 24th of May 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.




