Solar PV Analysis of Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
The location in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is suitable for generating energy via solar panels throughout the year. However, the effectiveness varies by season. During summer, when sunlight hours are longest and most intense, each kilowatt of installed solar can produce around 8.50 kilowatt-hours per day. In autumn and spring, production drops to about 4.99 and 6.13 kilowatt-hours per day respectively due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sun exposure. Winter sees the lowest production at around 3.23 kilowatt-hours a day due to significantly decreased sunlight.
The best time of year for generating solar power in this location would be during summer months when sunlight is abundant; however, even in other seasons it's still possible to generate some power with lower efficiency.
For maximum yearly energy production from your solar panels in Ashgabat, you should tilt them at an angle of approximately 33 degrees facing southwards (towards the equator). This will ensure they receive as much direct sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could affect solar production here - Ashgabat generally has a desert climate with low annual rainfall which should be beneficial for maximizing sun exposure on your panels; however dust storms are common which might cover your panels reducing their efficiency temporarily until cleaned off again.
To prevent such issues affecting your panel’s performance you could consider installing automated cleaning systems that periodically wash away any accumulated dust or debris from their surface ensuring constant optimal operation.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Ashgabat
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 37.9519, Longitude: 58.3958 (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan), 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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan (Lat/Long 37.9519, 58.3958) 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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. 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 | 42° South in Autumn | 53° South in Winter | 30° 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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
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 Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan is situated in a flat desert region surrounded by low mountains to the south. The Kopet Dag mountain range lies to the south of Ashgabat and stretches along the border between Turkmenistan and Iran.
Given this topography, large-scale solar PV installations would be best suited for flat desert areas around Ashgabat. These areas provide abundant sunlight and open spaces that are essential for the installation of solar panels. The desert regions have minimal cloud cover throughout most of the year, ensuring optimal conditions for solar energy production.
However, it's important to consider accessibility to these regions for maintenance purposes as well as connection to existing power grid infrastructure before deciding on a specific location.
The foothills or lower slopes of the Kopet Dag mountains could also potentially host solar panels if they face in an optimal direction (generally towards equator), but feasibility would need further study considering factors such as slope stability and potential shading effects.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 20th of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
