Savar Upazila, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with some seasonal variations that potential solar installers should understand.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this Northern Sub Tropical location shows interesting seasonal patterns. Spring emerges as the most productive season, generating an impressive 5.98 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. This makes it the peak season for solar energy production in the area. Autumn follows as the second-best performing season with 4.72 kWh per day per kW, while summer produces 4.53 kWh daily per kW. Winter shows the lowest production at 4.01 kWh per day per kW, though this still represents reasonable output for solar installations. The relatively high spring production likely coincides with optimal weather conditions before the intense heat and potential weather disruptions of peak summer months. For maximum year-round energy generation, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 23 degrees facing South.

Environmental and Weather Challenges

Several significant local factors can impede solar production in Savar Upazila and require careful consideration during installation planning. The monsoon season presents the most substantial challenge to solar energy generation. Bangladesh experiences heavy monsoon rains typically from June through September, which can dramatically reduce solar irradiance due to persistent cloud cover. Additionally, the high humidity levels throughout much of the year can create moisture-related issues for solar equipment. Dust accumulation poses another significant concern, particularly during drier periods. The combination of agricultural activities, construction, and general atmospheric dust can coat solar panels, reducing their efficiency substantially over time. Extreme weather events, including cyclones and severe storms, present serious risks to solar installations. These weather systems can bring damaging winds, hail, and flooding that could destroy or severely damage solar equipment.

Preventative Measures for Optimal Performance

Several strategic measures can help maximize solar energy production despite these environmental challenges:

• Install panels with adequate drainage systems and corrosion-resistant mounting hardware to handle monsoon conditions
• Implement regular cleaning schedules, particularly during dusty periods, using appropriate cleaning techniques that won't damage panel surfaces
• Choose high-quality panels and inverters with robust weatherproofing and warranties suitable for tropical climates
• Design mounting systems to withstand high winds and consider storm-resistant installation techniques
• Ensure proper electrical grounding and surge protection to handle lightning and electrical storms

Regular maintenance becomes particularly crucial in this environment. Monthly cleaning during dry seasons and post-storm inspections can help maintain optimal energy production levels throughout the year. Despite these challenges, the location's consistent solar output across all seasons, with spring offering particularly strong production, makes Savar Upazila a viable location for solar energy generation when proper installation and maintenance practices are followed.

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 Savar Upazila

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.8468, Longitude: 90.2417 (Savar Upazila, 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 Savar Upazila, Bangladesh

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Savar Upazila, Bangladesh (Lat/Long 23.8468, 90.2417) 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 Savar Upazila, 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 Savar Upazila, 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	29° South in Autumn	39° South in Winter	17° 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 Savar Upazila, 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 Savar Upazila, 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 Savar Upazila, Bangladesh

Topographical Features of Savar Upazila

Savar Upazila sits within the Dhaka Division of central Bangladesh, positioned on relatively flat alluvial plains that characterize much of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta region. The terrain consists primarily of low-lying agricultural land with gentle undulations, typical of the broader Bengal Basin. Elevations across the area remain consistently modest, rarely exceeding 10-15 meters above sea level, creating an expansive landscape of rice paddies, crop fields, and scattered settlements.

The region features numerous small rivers, canals, and seasonal waterways that meander through the countryside, including tributaries of the larger Dhaleshwari River system. These water bodies create a network of wetlands and marshy areas, particularly during the monsoon season when water levels rise significantly. Between the waterways, the land forms gentle ridges and slightly elevated patches that remain above flood levels during normal seasonal variations.

Small hills and elevated areas dot the landscape sporadically, though these remain relatively low in elevation. The soil composition consists mainly of fertile alluvial deposits, supporting extensive agricultural activities throughout the upazila. Traditional farming practices have created a patchwork of field boundaries, often delineated by raised earthen bunds that help manage water flow and retention.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for extensive solar photovoltaic installations would be the elevated agricultural areas that remain consistently above seasonal flood levels. These slightly raised terrains, while still relatively flat, offer protection from the regular inundation that affects lower-lying regions during monsoon periods. Such areas typically support year-round crop cultivation and would provide stable foundations for solar infrastructure.

Areas adjacent to the main transportation corridors, particularly those near the Dhaka-Aricha highway, present excellent opportunities due to their accessibility and existing infrastructure connections. These zones often feature consolidated land parcels with good drainage characteristics, making them practical for large-scale development while maintaining reasonable proximity to electrical grid connections.

The western portions of the upazila, where the terrain gradually rises toward the slightly higher ground, offer particularly favorable conditions. These areas experience less frequent flooding compared to regions closer to the major river channels, while still maintaining the relatively flat topography essential for efficient solar panel installation and maintenance access.

Former industrial areas and consolidated agricultural zones that have transitioned away from active farming present additional opportunities, especially where land consolidation has already occurred. These locations often benefit from existing road access and utility connections, reducing the infrastructure investment required for solar development while avoiding competition with active agricultural land use.

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.

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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.