Solar Energy Potential in Biratnagar, Koshi, Nepal

Biratnagar, Koshi, located in the Northern Sub Tropics of Nepal, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. The city's geographical coordinates (26.459, 87.2708) provide favorable conditions for solar PV installations throughout the year, with varying levels of electricity output across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Biratnagar fluctuates across seasons, with spring being the most productive period. During spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 5.62 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer and autumn also offer good solar output, producing 4.44 kWh/day and 4.60 kWh/day, respectively. Winter sees a slight dip in production, with 3.79 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output.

Optimal Panel Tilt Angle

For fixed panel installations in Biratnagar, Koshi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated considering various factors, including daily solar elevation angles, optimal panel tilt, and NASA's solar irradiance data.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

While Biratnagar generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: The region experiences heavy rainfall from June to September, which can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and reduced sunlight. 2. Air pollution: Biratnagar, Koshi, being an industrial city, may face air pollution issues that could slightly impact solar panel efficiency. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rainfall and humidity.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and pollutants from panel surfaces, ensuring optimal performance.
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Biratnagar can maintain high energy production levels throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar PV projects.

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

Link: Solar PV potential in Nepal by location

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

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.459, Longitude: 87.2708 (Biratnagar, Nepal), 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 25° South in Biratnagar, Nepal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Biratnagar, Nepal (Lat/Long 26.459, 87.2708) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Biratnagar, Nepal

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 Biratnagar, Nepal. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° 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	32° South in Autumn	42° 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 Biratnagar, Nepal

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 Biratnagar, Nepal.

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 Biratnagar, Nepal

Biratnagar, located in southeastern Nepal, sits on a relatively flat plain known as the Terai region. This area is characterized by its low-lying, level terrain that extends from the foothills of the Himalayas southward into northern India. The landscape around Biratnagar is predominantly flat, with occasional gentle undulations and small hillocks scattered throughout the region. The Terai plain is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and streams that flow down from the nearby Himalayan foothills. These waterways have shaped the local topography over time, creating natural drainage patterns and occasional flood plains. The Kesaliya River flows near Biratnagar, contributing to the area's water resources and influencing the local landscape.

Vegetation and Land Use

The region surrounding Biratnagar features a mix of agricultural land, urban development, and patches of tropical and subtropical vegetation. Rice paddies, wheat fields, and other crops dominate much of the rural landscape, interspersed with small villages and towns. Some areas still retain pockets of natural forest cover, though much of the original vegetation has been cleared for agriculture and human settlement.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas near Biratnagar for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The flat terrain of the Terai region offers numerous advantages for solar energy development. Areas to the north and east of Biratnagar, where the land remains largely rural and undeveloped, could be particularly well-suited for solar farms. These locations benefit from consistent exposure to sunlight throughout the year, with minimal shading from geographical features. The lack of significant elevation changes also simplifies the construction and maintenance of large solar arrays. Additionally, the proximity to Biratnagar itself provides access to existing infrastructure and potential energy consumers. However, it's important to consider that some of the most suitable land for solar PV may currently be used for agriculture. Balancing the need for renewable energy with food production and local livelihoods would be a crucial consideration in any large-scale solar development in the region. Areas slightly elevated above flood plains would be preferable to minimize the risk of damage from seasonal flooding, which can occur in parts of the Terai during the monsoon season. Careful site selection and environmental impact assessments would be necessary to ensure that solar installations do not negatively affect local ecosystems or water resources. In conclusion, while the topography around Biratnagar is generally favorable for solar PV development, the selection of specific sites would require careful planning to balance energy needs with environmental and social considerations.

Nepal solar PV Stats as a country

Nepal ranks 89th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 93 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 0.10% of Nepal's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 43rd in the world). Each year Nepal is generating 3 Watts from solar PV per capita (Nepal ranks 86th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Nepal?

Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Nepal. The Government of Nepal 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 established 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 Nepal? 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.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

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