Solar PV Analysis of Mek'ele, Ethiopia
Mek'ele, Tigray, Ethiopia is a great place to generate solar energy year-round due to its location in the tropics. This means it gets consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The only variation comes from wet and dry seasons rather than traditional seasonal changes.
The amount of electricity generated by each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season. In summer, you can expect about 5.98 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, while in autumn and winter this increases slightly to around 6.59 kWh/day and 6.56 kWh/day respectively. Springtime sees the highest output with approximately 7.64 kWh/day.
Given these numbers, spring would be the most ideal time for generating solar power at this location because that's when your panels will produce the most electricity per day.
For fixed panel installations at Mek'ele, Tigray, tilting them at an angle of 13 degrees towards south is recommended to maximize their total yearly production.
As far as potential obstacles go, there could be some environmental or weather-related factors that might interfere with solar power generation here but they would have to be significant enough to matter.
One such factor could include dust or dirt accumulation on the panels which can reduce their efficiency over time; regular cleaning should help mitigate this issue though.
Another possible concern might be heavy rainfall during wet seasons potentially damaging equipment or causing temporary reductions in output due to cloud cover; however proper installation and use of durable materials should minimize these risks.
Lastly, any local wildlife like birds may sometimes cause damage if not deterred properly; installing protective measures like bird spikes can prevent such incidents from happening.
Overall though Mek'ele seems like a very suitable location for harnessing solar energy effectively throughout all times of year given its consistent sunlight exposure and relatively minor potential obstacles that are easily manageable through simple preventative measures.
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 19 locations across Ethiopia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Ethiopia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Mek'ele
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 13.4964, Longitude: 39.4775 (Mek'ele, Ethiopia), 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 13° South in Mek'ele, Ethiopia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mek'ele, Ethiopia (Lat/Long 13.4964, 39.4775) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Mek'ele, Ethiopia
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 Mek'ele, Ethiopia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° North in Summer | 20° South in Autumn | 29° South in Winter | 7° 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 Mek'ele, Ethiopia
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 Mek'ele, Ethiopia.
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 Mek'ele, Ethiopia
Mek'ele, Ethiopia is situated in the northern part of the country and is surrounded by rugged, hilly terrain with an average elevation of about 2,000 meters above sea level. The city itself sits on a high plateau and is surrounded by mountains and hills. The region experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters.
As for solar PV installations, the topography around Mek'ele does present some challenges due to its hilly nature. However, there are still several areas that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV projects. These would ideally be flat or gently sloping areas.
The surrounding plains could potentially accommodate large-scale solar farms if they are not being used for agriculture or other purposes. Alternatively, rooftops within Mek'ele itself could also be utilized for smaller scale distributed generation systems.
In addition to topography considerations such as proximity to transmission lines or load centers (like cities), land ownership issues, environmental impacts etc., should also be considered while selecting sites for large-scale solar projects.
However any specific site selection would need detailed feasibility studies including ground-based measurements at potential locations before deciding on where exactly to install these panels.
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Monday 17th of June 2024
Last Updated: Wednesday 26th of June 2024
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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.
