The location at Thimphu, Bhutan, which is situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, is pretty good for generating energy via solar PV year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies slightly with each season but remains fairly consistent overall. In summer you can expect about 4.49 kWh/day per kW, autumn gives a bit more at 4.62 kWh/day per kW, winter drops a little to 4.34 kWh/day per kW and spring brings the highest output with 5.01 kWh/day per kW.

So if we're talking about the best times of year to generate solar power in this location, spring would be your top pick due to its higher average daily production rate.

For fixed panel installations here, it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of 27 degrees facing South to maximize total annual production from solar PV.

As for any potential challenges specific to this location that could affect solar production - there aren't any major ones mentioned specifically for Thimphu or Bhutan as a whole. However generally speaking in mountainous areas like Bhutan one might need to consider factors such as shading from mountains or trees which could block sunlight reaching the panels and reduce their efficiency.

To mitigate against these kinds of issues when installing your system you'd want to ensure that your panels are positioned somewhere they'll receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day and all year round - so avoiding shady spots where possible would be key here.

Additionally regular maintenance checks should be carried out on your system post-installation just as standard practice - this will help identify and rectify any minor issues early on before they have chance become bigger problems potentially impacting on performance down the line.

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 Thimphu

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 27.47, Longitude: 89.6431 (Thimphu, 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:

Average 4.49kWh/day in Summer.

Average 4.62kWh/day in Autumn.

Average 4.34kWh/day in Winter.

Average 5.01kWh/day in Spring.

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 27° South in Thimphu, Bhutan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thimphu, Bhutan (Lat/Long 27.47, 89.6431) 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.

At Latitude: 27.47, Longitude: 89.6431, the ideal angle to tilt panels is 27° South

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

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 Thimphu, 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 Thimphu, 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 Thimphu, Bhutan

Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, is located in a high-altitude valley surrounded by the Himalayan mountains. The terrain is mostly mountainous with some areas of flat land along the river valleys. The city itself sits at an elevation of about 2,334 meters (7,657 feet) above sea level.

The region experiences a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical climate with warm summers and cool winters. Due to its location in the Himalayas and its altitude, Thimphu receives less sunshine than lower-lying areas or regions closer to the equator.

For large-scale solar PV installations, it would be best to look for relatively flat and open spaces that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. These could potentially include certain valley areas or south-facing slopes that are not too steep. However, given Thimphu's geographical characteristics and weather patterns (including frequent cloud cover during monsoon season), harnessing solar energy on a large scale might be challenging.

In terms of nearby locations more suited for large-scale solar PV installations, you might want to consider southern parts of Bhutan which have lower altitudes or even neighboring countries like India where there are regions with higher levels of sunlight exposure throughout the year.

It should also be noted that any such initiatives would need careful planning regarding environmental impact due to Bhutan's rich biodiversity and commitment towards carbon neutrality and environmental conservation.

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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.

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