Pabna Sadar, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The site's geographical coordinates (24.0042, 89.2528) provide favorable conditions for harnessing solar power, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production at this location demonstrates consistent performance throughout the year, with some seasonal variations. Spring emerges as the most productive season, yielding an impressive 5.82 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, with nearly identical outputs of 4.81 kWh/day and 4.82 kWh/day, respectively. Winter experiences a slight dip in production, generating 4.01 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production at this location, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 23 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the site's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Pabna Sadar generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: Bangladesh experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon months (typically June to September), which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and potential dust accumulation. 2. Air pollution: Urban areas in Bangladesh often face air quality issues, which can lead to dust and particulate matter settling on solar panels, potentially reducing their effectiveness. To mitigate these challenges, the following preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules, especially during and after the monsoon season.
• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to withstand heavy rainfall and humidity.
• Implement a slight increase in panel tilt angle to facilitate natural cleaning by rainwater.
• Consider installing a monitoring system to track performance and identify any unexpected drops in efficiency.

By addressing these factors, solar PV installations in Pabna Sadar can maintain high levels of energy production throughout the year, capitalizing on the location's overall favorable conditions for solar power generation.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

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 Pabna Sadar

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 24.0042, Longitude: 89.2528 (Pabna Sadar, 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 23° South in Pabna Sadar, Bangladesh

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pabna Sadar, Bangladesh (Lat/Long 24.0042, 89.2528) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Pabna Sadar, 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 Pabna Sadar, Bangladesh. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° South in Summer	30° South in Autumn	39° South in Winter	18° 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 Pabna Sadar, 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 Pabna Sadar, 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 Pabna Sadar, Bangladesh

The topography around Pabna Sadar, Bangladesh, is characterized by a predominantly flat and low-lying landscape typical of the Bengal Delta region. This area is part of the vast alluvial plain formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers and their tributaries. The terrain is generally level, with only slight variations in elevation across the region. The immediate surroundings of Pabna Sadar consist of fertile agricultural land, interspersed with numerous rivers, streams, and water bodies. The Padma River, one of the main distributaries of the Ganges, flows to the south of Pabna Sadar, influencing the local topography and creating natural levees and floodplains. These features contribute to the area's rich soil composition, making it ideal for agriculture.

Suitable Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Pabna Sadar, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would be those that combine favorable topographical features with practical considerations for solar energy production. The flat terrain in the region is generally advantageous for solar PV installations, as it minimizes the need for extensive land preparation and allows for uniform panel placement. Areas slightly elevated above the flood-prone zones would be ideal, reducing the risk of damage during monsoon seasons and potential flooding events. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow fields could be potential candidates for solar PV projects. These areas often have the necessary infrastructure, such as access roads, which can facilitate the construction and maintenance of solar installations. It's important to note that while the region receives ample sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar energy production, careful site selection is crucial to avoid areas prone to frequent flooding or erosion. Additionally, locations with minimal shading from trees or structures and good proximity to existing power infrastructure would be preferable for large-scale solar PV projects. Ultimately, a comprehensive site assessment considering factors such as soil stability, drainage patterns, and local land-use regulations would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations for solar PV installations in the vicinity of Pabna Sadar.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.