Solar Energy Potential in Sirajganj, Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh

Sirajganj, Rajshahi Division, located in the Northern Sub Tropics of Bangladesh, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical coordinates (24.4556, 89.7109) provide favorable conditions for harnessing solar power, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Output

The solar energy potential in Sirajganj fluctuates across the four meteorological seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive period, with an impressive output of 5.82 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, yielding 4.81 kWh/day and 4.82 kWh/day, respectively. Winter experiences a slight dip in production, generating 4.01 kWh/day, which is still a respectable output.

Optimal Panel Tilt Angle

For fixed panel installations in Sirajganj, Rajshahi Division, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 23 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated considering various factors, including daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel tilt, and weighted angles based on NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Sirajganj presents a favorable location for solar energy production, there are some environmental and weather factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: Bangladesh experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon months (typically June to September), which could temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and reduced sunlight. 2. Dust and air pollution: As an industrial area, Sirajganj may face issues with dust and air pollution, which can accumulate on solar panels and decrease their efficiency. To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Install a reliable cleaning system to regularly remove dust and debris from the panels.
• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rainfall and humidity.
• Implement a slight increase in panel tilt during the monsoon season to aid in natural cleaning by rainwater.
• Consider installing a backup energy storage system to compensate for reduced output during extended periods of cloudy weather.

By addressing these factors and implementing appropriate measures, Sirajganj can effectively harness its solar energy potential and contribute significantly to sustainable power generation in Bangladesh.

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 Sirajganj

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 24.4556, Longitude: 89.7109 (Sirajganj, 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 Sirajganj, Bangladesh

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sirajganj, Bangladesh (Lat/Long 24.4556, 89.7109) 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 Sirajganj, 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 Sirajganj, 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	40° 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 Sirajganj, 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 Sirajganj, 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 Sirajganj, Bangladesh

The topography around Sirajganj, Bangladesh, is predominantly characterized by flat, low-lying plains. This area is part of the vast Bengal Plain, which is formed by the confluence of major rivers like the Ganges (known locally as the Padma) and the Jamuna (the main channel of the Brahmaputra in Bangladesh). The landscape is mostly composed of alluvial soil deposited by these rivers over thousands of years.

The terrain in and around Sirajganj is generally very flat, with minimal elevation changes. The average elevation is only a few meters above sea level, typically ranging from 10 to 20 meters. This flatness is interrupted occasionally by slight undulations and low-lying depressions called "beels," which are often filled with water during the monsoon season.

The Jamuna River flows to the east of Sirajganj, creating a dynamic landscape that changes subtly over time due to erosion and deposition processes. The river's floodplain extends for several kilometers on either side, creating a network of smaller channels, sandbars, and islands known as "chars."

Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the flat terrain of the region generally offers good potential. However, several factors need to be considered:

1. The areas slightly elevated above the floodplains would be most suitable, as they are less prone to flooding during the monsoon season. These might include stable char lands or slightly higher ground away from the immediate vicinity of rivers.
2. Agricultural lands that are less productive or fallow could be potential sites, but care must be taken to balance energy production with food security concerns.
3. Areas to the west of Sirajganj, moving away from the Jamuna River, might offer more stable ground less affected by river erosion and flooding.
4. Existing infrastructure, such as roads and power lines, should be considered for ease of construction and grid connection. Areas near substations or major power lines could be advantageous.

It's important to note that while the flat terrain is generally favorable for solar PV, the region's susceptibility to flooding and the high value of agricultural land in this densely populated area present challenges. Any large-scale solar project would require careful site selection, environmental impact assessments, and consideration of local land use patterns.

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

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