Solar PV Analysis of Zonguldak, Turkey
The location at Zonguldak, Turkey, is fairly decent for generating solar energy year-round. However, the effectiveness of solar power generation varies with the seasons.
In summer, you can expect to generate a lot of electricity - about 7.29 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This means that during the long sunny days of summer, your solar panels will be very productive.
In autumn and spring, you'll get less energy from your panels - about 3.60 and 5.20 kilowatt-hours per day respectively for each kilowatt installed. That's because there are fewer hours of sunlight in these seasons than in summer.
Winter is when your panels will produce the least amount of energy - only around 1.98 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt installed due to shorter daylight hours and often overcast skies.
For optimal year-round production from your solar photovoltaic system at this location, it's recommended that you tilt your panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing South which helps maximize exposure to sunlight throughout the whole year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect production: Zonguldak has a humid climate with high rainfall throughout the year which could potentially reduce output by causing more cloudy days and depositing dust and debris on the panels which can block sunlight if not cleaned off regularly; so regular maintenance would be beneficial in this regard.
Also note that any large buildings or trees nearby might cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency; so ideally they should be placed where they're exposed to unobstructed sun most parts of the day all through out the year.
To mitigate these potential obstacles: Regular cleaning/maintenance can help ensure maximum light absorption by keeping them free from dirt/debris build-up especially after heavy rains; also consider installing a tracking system that adjusts panel angles according to seasonal changes for optimal sunlight exposure.
So, while Zonguldak is not the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its weather conditions, with proper setup and maintenance it can still be a viable source of renewable energy.
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 Zonguldak
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 41.4539, Longitude: 31.7863 (Zonguldak, 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 Zonguldak, Turkey
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Zonguldak, Turkey (Lat/Long 41.4539, 31.7863) 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 Zonguldak, 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 Zonguldak, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° South in Summer | 45° South in Autumn | 56° 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 Zonguldak, 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 Zonguldak, 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 Zonguldak, Turkey
Zonguldak, Turkey is situated in a region characterized by rugged terrain with significant variations in elevation. The city itself is located on the coast of the Black Sea and is surrounded by mountains and hills, which are part of the Western Black Sea Region mountain range.
Despite its coastal location, Zonguldak has a relatively high annual rainfall due to its proximity to the sea and surrounding mountains. This means that although it receives ample sunlight during summer months, cloud cover during other seasons may reduce potential solar energy production.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar Photovoltaic (PV) installations would be those with maximum sun exposure throughout the year. Considering topography and weather conditions, flatter areas or south-facing slopes at lower elevations would be ideal as they provide better exposure to sunlight.
However, given Zonguldak's hilly landscape and higher than average rainfall levels for Turkey overall - finding suitable locations within immediate vicinity might prove challenging.
That being said, nearby provinces like Bartin or Karabuk could potentially offer more favorable conditions due to their slightly less rugged terrains and marginally lower rainfalls compared to Zonguldak.
Ultimately though - feasibility studies including detailed meteorological data analysis along with land availability & usage considerations should be conducted before deciding on specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
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 29th of March 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.
