Solar PV Analysis of Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong, Bangladesh is a pretty good place 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 more about wet and dry periods rather than big changes in temperature or daylight hours.
If you were to install solar panels here, you could expect different amounts of electricity production depending on the season. In Summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar would produce around 4.60 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. In Autumn, this increases slightly to 5.31 kWh/day per kW; in Winter it drops a bit to 4.99 kWh/day per kW; and then in Spring it jumps up to 6.44 kWh/day per kW.
The best time of year for generating solar power at this location would be during Spring when the output reaches its peak at 6.44 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels towards an angle that faces South by 22 degrees can help maximise your total yearly power production from these panels.
However, there may be some local factors that could get in the way of producing as much power as possible from your solar installation here.
One major factor could be weather conditions - specifically heavy rainfall or monsoon-like conditions common during certain times of the year which can reduce sunlight exposure significantly and thus limit energy generation potential from your panels during such periods.
Another factor might be dust accumulation on panel surfaces which can also hinder their efficiency over time if not cleaned regularly - especially given Chittong's urban setting with construction activities contributing towards airborne dust particles.
To overcome these challenges and ensure greater energy production:
1) You might want to consider installing adjustable mounts for your panels so they can be tilted further away from horizontal position during heavy rainfalls to allow water runoff without much accumulation on the panel surfaces.
2) Regular cleaning of panels can help maintain their efficiency. This could be done manually or by using automated cleaning systems that use water jets or robotic cleaners to remove dust and debris from the panel surfaces.
3) Installing weather protective measures such as durable coverings for your solar installation during peak monsoon seasons might also be a good idea to protect them from heavy rainfall damage and ensure consistent energy production.
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 88 locations across Bangladesh. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Bangladesh by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Chittagong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.3919, Longitude: 91.8335 (Chittagong, Bangladesh), 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 22° South in Chittagong, Bangladesh
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chittagong, Bangladesh (Lat/Long 22.3919, 91.8335) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Chittagong, Bangladesh
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 Chittagong, Bangladesh. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° South in Summer | 28° South in Autumn | 38° South in Winter | 16° 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 Chittagong, Bangladesh
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 Chittagong, Bangladesh.
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 Chittagong, Bangladesh
Chittagong, Bangladesh is located in the southeastern part of the country and is characterized by hilly terrain with coastal plains. The city sits on the banks of the Karnaphuli River which flows into the Bay of Bengal. The region experiences a tropical monsoon climate with high temperatures and heavy rainfall.
The topography around Chittagong includes hills, valleys, rivers, and coastal areas. The hill ranges are mostly covered by forests while there are also several beaches along its coast. To the north of Chittagong lies a vast floodplain interspersed with marshes.
For largescale solar PV installations, flat open spaces that receive abundant sunlight throughout most of the year would be ideal. In this context:
1) Coastal Plains: These could be suitable for large-scale solar farms as they typically have ample sun exposure and relatively flat terrain.
2) Open Fields/Floodplains: Areas to the north or outside city limits where open fields or floodplains exist could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations.
However, it's important to note that feasibility would depend on factors like land availability, local regulations/permissions, proximity to power grids for transmission etc., apart from just topographical suitability.
Also worth noting is that despite being an optimal location in terms of sunlight exposure for photovoltaic systems (PV), Chittagong's high annual rainfall presents challenges in terms of maintenance and efficiency reduction due to cloud cover during monsoon seasons. Therefore any plan for setting up a large scale PV system should take these factors into account as well.
Bangladesh solar PV Stats as a country
Bangladesh ranks 63rd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 329 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Bangladesh is generating 2 Watts from solar PV per capita (Bangladesh ranks 87th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Bangladesh?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Bangladesh. The government of Bangladesh has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has set up a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants to support research and development activities related to renewable energy technologies.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Bangladesh? 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: Thursday 25th of April 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.
