Solar PV Analysis of Sanaa, Yemen
Sanaa, Amanat Alasimah, Yemen is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics, where sunlight is fairly consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons are often more about wet and dry periods rather than big changes in temperature or sunlight.
On average, you can expect to generate around 7.15kWh of electricity per day for each kW of solar panels installed during Summer, 7.01kWh/day in Autumn, 6.56kWh/day in Winter and 7.8kWh/day in Spring.
The best time to produce solar energy at this location would be during Spring when the output reaches its peak at an average of 7.80 kWh per day per kW of installed solar panels.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round here, you should tilt them at an angle facing towards the south by about 15 degrees.
However, there are some factors that might affect how much power you can produce from your solar panels here:
1) Dust storms: Sanaa is known for dust storms which could cover up your solar panels and reduce their efficiency.
Preventative measure: Regularly cleaning off any dust or debris on your panel surfaces will ensure they can capture as much sunlight as possible.
2) Political instability: The ongoing conflict situation may pose challenges to installation and maintenance work.
Preventative measure: It's important to have a robust plan for installation and maintenance that takes into account potential disruptions due to political unrest.
3) Seasonal rainfall variation: During wet seasons there might be less sun exposure which could affect the power generation.
Preventative measure: Installing a larger system may help compensate for lower production times during these periods; also regular maintenance checks after heavy rainfalls would keep systems running efficiently.
4) High temperatures: Solar PV efficiency decreases with increasing temperature.
Preventative measures include ensuring adequate airflow around panels to help dissipate heat and considering the use of cooling systems.
In summary, Sanaa, Amanat Alasimah, Yemen is generally a good place for solar power generation throughout the year with some considerations needed for local environmental and other factors.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 10 locations across Yemen. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Yemen by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Sanaa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 15.3522, Longitude: 44.2095 (Sanaa, Yemen), 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 15° South in Sanaa, Yemen
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sanaa, Yemen (Lat/Long 15.3522, 44.2095) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Sanaa, Yemen
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 Sanaa, Yemen. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 21° South in Autumn | 31° South in Winter | 9° 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 Sanaa, Yemen
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 Sanaa, Yemen.
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 Sanaa, Yemen
Sanaa, Yemen is situated in a mountainous region, approximately 2,300 meters above sea level. The city is located in the western part of the country and is surrounded by rocky terrain with various hills and peaks. This high-altitude location means that Sanaa experiences relatively cool temperatures compared to other cities in Yemen.
Regarding solar PV installations, flat areas with high sun exposure would be ideal. In this context, some suitable areas could be:
1. Desert Regions: Although Sanaa itself is not located within a desert area, Yemen has large desert regions that receive abundant sunlight throughout the year which makes them suitable for solar PV installations.
2. Plateaus: Given Sanaa's mountainous topography, plateaus or flatter sections on mountains could also be potential sites for solar panels as they can provide stable ground while still having access to ample sunlight.
3. Rooftops: In densely populated urban areas like Sanaa city itself, installing solar panels on rooftops can be an effective way to generate electricity without requiring additional land resources.
4. Agricultural Lands: Solar panels can also be installed over agricultural lands using structures that allow enough sunlight to reach crops below while harnessing energy from above.
It should however be noted that any decision regarding installation of large-scale solar PV systems should consider factors such as local climate conditions (like frequency of sandstorms which might damage equipment), availability of infrastructure for power transmission and storage etc., apart from just topographical suitability.
Yemen solar PV Stats as a country
Yemen ranks 67th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 253 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Yemen is generating 8 Watts from solar PV per capita (Yemen ranks 75th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Yemen?
Unfortunately, there are currently no incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Yemen. The country is facing a severe economic crisis and the government does not have the resources to provide any financial support for renewable energy projects. However, some international organizations such as the World Bank and UNDP have been providing technical assistance to help develop renewable energy projects in Yemen.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Yemen? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 3rd 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.
