Solar Energy Potential in Feni, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Feni, Chittagong, Bangladesh, located at the coordinates 22.9505, 91.4608, offers promising opportunities for solar power generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from relatively consistent sunlight patterns, though with notable seasonal variations in energy production potential. The solar energy generation capacity in Feni demonstrates interesting seasonal fluctuations. Spring stands out as the most productive season, with panels capable of generating an impressive 6.45kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Autumn follows as the second most productive season with 5.27kWh/day, while winter yields 4.93kWh/day. Summer, perhaps surprisingly, shows the lowest output at 4.61kWh/day per installed kilowatt. For residents or businesses considering solar installation in Feni, Chittagong, these figures indicate that spring and autumn would be the optimal periods for maximum energy harvest. The higher output during spring months could be particularly valuable for planning energy-intensive activities or for storing excess energy for use during less productive periods.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Feni, Chittagong, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 22 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the changing seasons, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Feni's particular latitude.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several significant environmental factors in Feni can impact solar energy production:

• Monsoon season brings heavy rainfall and increased cloud cover, particularly from June to September, which can temporarily reduce solar efficiency.
• High humidity levels (often exceeding 80%) can create condensation on panels, potentially reducing light absorption if not properly managed.
• Cyclones and severe storms occasionally affect the region, presenting physical risks to solar installations.
• Dust accumulation during the dry season can gradually diminish panel efficiency if not addressed.

Recommended Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install robust mounting systems designed to withstand cyclonic winds, with additional anchoring in exposed locations.
• Incorporate automated or regular cleaning systems to address dust and pollution buildup, especially during dry periods.
• Consider slightly elevated panel placement to minimize flooding risks during heavy monsoon rains.
• Use high-quality panels with anti-reflective coatings that perform better in high humidity conditions.
• Implement proper drainage systems around ground-mounted installations to prevent water accumulation.

With these considerations addressed, Feni's location offers a viable opportunity for solar energy production throughout the year, with particularly strong potential during the spring months when daily generation exceeds 6kWh per installed kilowatt.

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 Feni

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.9505, Longitude: 91.4608 (Feni, 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 Feni, Bangladesh

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Feni, Bangladesh (Lat/Long 22.9505, 91.4608) 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 Feni, 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 Feni, 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	29° 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 Feni, 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 Feni, Bangladesh.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Feni, Bangladesh

The landscape around Feni, Bangladesh presents a predominantly flat, low-lying topography characteristic of the Bengal Basin. Located in southeastern Bangladesh, Feni sits in a region where the vast Bengal delta transitions toward the slightly more elevated Chittagong Hill Tracts to the east. The elevation across most of the Feni District rarely exceeds 10 meters above sea level, creating an expansive plain that gently slopes toward the Bay of Bengal to the south. Rivers play a significant role in shaping the topography of the region. The Feni River, along with its tributaries, has created fertile alluvial plains throughout the area. These waterways have historically deposited rich silt during monsoon seasons, resulting in the formation of productive agricultural lands. The river systems have also carved subtle natural depressions and elevated ridges across the otherwise uniform landscape.

Coastal Influence

The southern portions of the Feni region experience stronger coastal influences, with some areas featuring tidal flats and marshlands. These low-lying zones occasionally face saltwater intrusion during high tides or storm surges, particularly as one moves closer to the Bay of Bengal. The transition between freshwater and brackish ecosystems creates a gradient in the landscape that affects both soil composition and natural vegetation patterns. While the western and central parts of Feni District maintain their predominantly flat character, the eastern fringes begin to show the first gentle undulations that eventually rise into the more pronounced hills of neighboring Khagrachari and Chittagong districts. These subtle increases in elevation create a gradual topographic transition rather than abrupt changes in the landscape.

Potential for Solar Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic development, several areas around Feni present favorable topographic conditions. The extensive flat terrain throughout central and western Feni District offers ideal conditions for solar farm construction, minimizing the need for costly land preparation. These level areas allow for uniform panel orientation and simplified infrastructure development. The slightly elevated areas toward the eastern parts of Feni, where the first gentle rises begin, might offer advantages in terms of reduced flood risk compared to the lowest-lying plains. These moderately elevated zones maintain the necessary flat or gently sloping character ideal for solar arrays while potentially providing better drainage during monsoon seasons. Areas to avoid would include the southernmost coastal zones where tidal flooding and storm surge risks are highest, as well as land immediately adjacent to river systems that face seasonal inundation. The fertile agricultural lands along the Feni River, while physically suitable for solar development, may present land-use conflicts given their importance to local food production. The northeastern sections of Feni District, where the landscape begins its transition toward the Chittagong Hill Tracts, offer an interesting compromise. These areas have sufficient flatness for efficient panel installation while sitting at slightly higher elevations that reduce flooding concerns. Additionally, these transitional zones often have less intensive agricultural use than the prime farmland of the central plains. From a purely topographical perspective, optimal solar PV development would focus on the stable, flat areas in the central and northeastern portions of Feni District, balancing the need for level terrain with reduced flood risk and minimized disruption to prime agricultural activities.

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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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.