The Impact of Climate on Solar Panel Performance in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah

This study aims to identify the most important climatic elements that must be considered when designing solar panels in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah for the period 1995–2024, as well as the impact of monthly and annual climatic variations on the efficiency of solar panel performance. The study relies on the following climatic elements: annual radiation, temperature, relative humidity, wind, rainfall, and dust, in order to understand the relationship between climatic elements and the performance of solar panels. The study employed an analytical and applied methodology. The results indicate that Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah enjoys high levels of solar radiation, with an overall average of solar radiation reaching 531 cal/cm²/day, while the highest levels were recorded in summer at 656.1 cal/cm²/day. The season with the most frequent sand and dust storms is winter, particularly in December, with 12 occurrences, whereas widespread dust was most common in spring, particularly in April, reaching 426 days. The study recommends establishing geographical-climatic research centers focused on studies of renewable energy in general, and solar energy in particular, as well as improving the quality of solar panels and their associated devices to mitigate the negative effects resulting from certain climatic elements.