Jakar, Bumthang District, Bhutan, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 27.5483, 90.7568, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal electricity output per kW of installed solar panels demonstrates consistent performance across all meteorological seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Spring emerges as the most productive season, with an impressive 4.71kWh/day output. Autumn follows closely behind at 4.55kWh/day, while summer yields 4.35kWh/day. Winter, despite being the least productive season, still manages a respectable 4.01kWh/day. This relatively balanced distribution suggests that Jakar is well-suited for year-round solar energy production.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Jakar, Bumthang District, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 27 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to account for the Earth's elliptical orbit and local solar elevation angles, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Jakar's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a monsoon season, typically from June to September, which could potentially impact solar output due to increased cloud cover and rainfall. However, this effect is somewhat mitigated by the longer daylight hours during this period.

To address these challenges, installers should consider using high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels and ensure proper drainage systems are in place to prevent water accumulation on the panels. Additionally, regular cleaning and maintenance schedules should be implemented to remove any dust or debris that may accumulate during drier periods.

Conclusion

Overall, Jakar presents an ideal location for solar PV energy generation. Its consistent seasonal performance, coupled with the optimized panel tilt angle, provides a solid foundation for reliable solar energy production throughout the year. With appropriate preventative measures in place to address potential environmental challenges, solar installations in this area can expect to achieve excellent energy yields.

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 7 locations across Bhutan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in Bhutan by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Jakar

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 27.5483, Longitude: 90.7568 (Jakar, Bhutan), 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 27° South in Jakar, Bhutan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Jakar, Bhutan (Lat/Long 27.5483, 90.7568) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Jakar, Bhutan

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 Jakar, Bhutan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° South in Summer	33° South in Autumn	43° South in Winter	21° 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 Jakar, Bhutan

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 Jakar, Bhutan.

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 Jakar, Bhutan

The topography around Jakar, Bhutan, is characterized by its mountainous terrain, typical of the eastern Himalayas. Situated in the Bumthang Valley, Jakar is surrounded by steep, forested slopes and rolling hills. The town itself sits at an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) above sea level, nestled in a relatively flat area compared to its surroundings. The landscape in this region is a mix of dense coniferous forests, alpine meadows, and terraced agricultural fields. Numerous streams and rivers, fed by glacial melt and monsoon rains, carve through the valleys, creating a network of water bodies that shape the local topography. The Chamkhar Chhu, a major river in the area, flows through the Bumthang Valley, further influencing the terrain.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The mountainous terrain presents challenges, but there are potential sites that could be suitable: South-facing slopes in the vicinity of Jakar offer promising locations for solar PV installations. These areas receive more direct sunlight throughout the day, maximizing energy production. However, care must be taken to avoid areas with dense forest cover or steep gradients that would make construction and maintenance difficult. The relatively flat areas of the Bumthang Valley, particularly those not used for agriculture, could be potential sites for solar farms. These locations would provide easier access for construction and maintenance, though they may face competition with agricultural land use. Higher elevation plateaus or gentle slopes above the tree line might also be considered. These areas typically receive more sunlight due to reduced atmospheric interference and fewer obstructions. However, the harsh climate and difficult access at higher elevations would need to be carefully evaluated. It's important to note that while the region around Jakar has potential for solar energy development, any large-scale project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use regulations, and the unique cultural and natural heritage of Bhutan. Additionally, the remote location and challenging terrain would require significant infrastructure development to support large-scale solar PV installations and to transmit the generated electricity to population centers.

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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.