Katihar, Bihar, India, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 25.5406, 87.5667, presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The region experiences varying levels of solar productivity across different seasons, offering opportunities for consistent energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Katihar demonstrate robust performance across all seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 5.88 kWh per kW of installed capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, generating 4.76 kWh/day and 4.64 kWh/day, respectively. Even during winter, when solar output typically decreases, the region maintains a respectable 3.80 kWh/day production.

Optimal Panel Configuration

To maximize year-round solar energy production in Katihar, Bihar, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 24-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures efficient capture of sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Environmental Considerations

While Katihar's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall and cloud cover during the monsoon months (typically June to September) may temporarily reduce solar output.
• Dust accumulation: The region's dry periods can lead to dust buildup on solar panels, potentially affecting efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these environmental challenges and ensure optimal solar performance, consider implementing the following measures:

Install a robust mounting system capable of withstanding strong winds during monsoon season. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris from panel surfaces, particularly during dry periods. Consider using self-cleaning or hydrophobic coatings on panels to reduce dust accumulation and improve water runoff during rains.

Overall, Katihar's location offers excellent potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, with spring and summer being particularly productive seasons. By addressing the minor environmental challenges through proper installation and maintenance practices, solar installations in this region can achieve high efficiency and consistent energy production.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in India by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 25.5406, Longitude: 87.5667 (Katihar, India), 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 24° South in Katihar, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Katihar, India (Lat/Long 25.5406, 87.5667) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Katihar, India

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 Katihar, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
10° South in Summer	31° South in Autumn	41° South in Winter	19° 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 Katihar, India

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 Katihar, India.

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 Katihar, India

The topography around Katihar, India, located at 25.5406°N latitude and 87.5667°E longitude, is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This region is part of the larger Ganges River basin, which features extensive alluvial deposits that have created a vast, level terrain over millennia. The area surrounding Katihar is primarily composed of fertile agricultural land, with minimal elevation changes across the landscape. The flat nature of the terrain is punctuated by occasional gentle undulations and small hillocks, but these are relatively minor features in an otherwise uniform topography. The region's flatness is a result of the continuous deposition of sediments by the numerous rivers that crisscross the area, including the Ganges and its tributaries. To the north of Katihar, the land gradually rises towards the foothills of the Himalayas, but this change in elevation is not significant within the immediate vicinity of the city. To the south and east, the terrain remains consistently flat, extending into the neighboring state of West Bengal and beyond into Bangladesh.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

Given the topographical characteristics of the region around Katihar, several nearby areas would be well-suited for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The flat terrain offers ideal conditions for solar farms, as it minimizes the need for extensive land preparation and allows for optimal panel placement to maximize sunlight exposure. Some of the most suitable areas for solar PV development near Katihar would include: 1. Agricultural fields to the south and east of the city: These expansive, open areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have minimal obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. 2. Unused or fallow land parcels: Any non-cultivated flat lands in the vicinity would be excellent candidates for solar installations, as they would not interfere with food production. 3. Areas along major roads and highways: The land adjacent to transportation corridors often remains undeveloped and could be utilized for solar farms, providing easy access for construction and maintenance. 4. Elevated grounds or small hillocks: While less common in the region, any slightly elevated areas could offer advantages in terms of reduced flood risk and potentially better air circulation for the solar panels. When considering locations for large-scale solar PV installations, it's important to factor in proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, water sources for panel cleaning, and local land use regulations. Additionally, areas prone to flooding should be avoided to ensure the longevity and efficiency of the solar installations. With careful site selection and proper planning, the flat topography around Katihar presents numerous opportunities for successful solar energy development.

India solar PV Stats as a country

India ranks 5th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 49,684 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 6.50% of India's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 11th in the world). Each year India is generating 36 Watts from solar PV per capita (India ranks 56th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in India?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in India. These include:

1. Capital Subsidy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides a capital subsidy of up to 30% on the cost of installing solar power systems for commercial and industrial establishments.

2. Accelerated Depreciation: Businesses can avail accelerated depreciation benefits under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which allows them to claim tax deductions on investments made in solar projects over a period of five years instead of claiming it all at once.

3. Net Metering: This policy allows businesses to sell excess electricity generated from their rooftop solar system back into the grid at retail rates, thus reducing their electricity bills significantly.

4. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC): Businesses can earn SRECs by generating renewable energy through their rooftop solar systems and then selling these certificates in the open market or trading platforms like IEX or PXIL at predetermined prices set by state regulatory commissions.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in India? 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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