Solar PV Analysis of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
The location at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan is not ideal for year-round energy generation via solar PV due to the seasonal variation in sunlight. During summer, the amount of solar energy that can be produced is quite high at 6.95kWh per day for each kW of installed solar. This means that in summer, a lot of electricity can be generated from solar panels.
However, during autumn and winter, the amount of sunlight decreases significantly resulting in lower production - 4.09kWh/day and 2.56kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar. This means that less electricity will be generated during these seasons compared to summer.
In spring, the production increases again to 5.72kWh/day per kW installed which is still less than what can be achieved in summer but much better than winter and autumn.
Therefore, if you're planning on generating power using solar PV at this location, it would be best to do so during the sunnier months i.e., spring and especially summer.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 37 degrees South would help maximize total year-round production from your Solar PV system.
As for environmental or local factors that could impede solar production; Bishkek has a relatively dry climate with cold winters which may affect efficiency as snow cover could block sunlight reaching the panels in winter months; also dust storms are common which might deposit dust on panels reducing their efficiency too.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy output too much:
1) You should ensure regular maintenance checks are carried out to keep your system running optimally - this includes cleaning your panels regularly especially after dust storms or heavy snowfall.
2) Consider installing a system to automatically tilt or move your panels so they always face directly towards the sun regardless of season.
3) Installing heating elements on your panels could also help melt any snow accumulation during winter, helping to keep your panels clean and efficient.
In summary, while Bishkek is not the most ideal location for solar PV due to seasonal variations in sunlight and potential environmental issues like dust storms and snowfall, with careful planning and regular maintenance it's still possible to generate a decent amount of electricity from solar power especially during the sunnier months.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 5 locations across Kyrgyzstan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Kyrgyzstan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Bishkek
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 42.8696, Longitude: 74.5932 (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), 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 37° South in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Lat/Long 42.8696, 74.5932) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° South in Summer | 47° South in Autumn | 58° South in Winter | 35° 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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is located in the Chui Valley at the foothill of the Tian Shan Mountains. It is surrounded by a series of mountain ranges to the south which include Ala-Too Range and Kyrgyz Range. The city itself is relatively flat due to its location in the valley but as you move outside of Bishkek, you encounter more rugged and mountainous terrains.
As for solar PV potential, areas with high solar irradiance and relatively flat topography would be most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Given Bishkek's geographical location and climate (it has over 240 sunny days a year), there are several promising areas for this.
1. Chui Valley: This area surrounding Bishkek is relatively flat compared to other parts of Kyrgyzstan making it suitable for large scale solar farm installation.
2. Northern Regions: The northern regions of Kyrgyzstan including Talas region have lower elevation than southern parts which could be beneficial in terms of accessibility and construction ease.
3. Southern Shore Of Issyk-Kul Lake: Although it's not very close to Bishkek, this area receives substantial sunlight throughout the year making it another potential site.
However, actual feasibility would also depend on factors like accessibility, proximity to transmission lines or substations (to feed electricity into grid), land ownership issues etc., which need detailed on-ground assessment.
It's worth noting that a study by World Bank Group titled "Global Solar Atlas" indicates that almost all parts of Kyrgyzstan have good potential for photovoltaic power generation due to high annual average daily total global horizontal irradiation values.
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 20th of January 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
