Damak, Koshi, Nepal, located at 26.6576° N, 87.706° E in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The location's seasonal electricity output per kW of installed solar varies, providing insights into its potential for solar energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Spring stands out as the most productive season, with an impressive 5.62 kWh/day output. Autumn follows closely with 4.60 kWh/day, while summer yields 4.44 kWh/day. Winter experiences a slight dip but still maintains a respectable 3.79 kWh/day output.

The consistent performance across seasons indicates that Damak is well-suited for year-round solar energy generation. However, the peak production during spring suggests that this season is particularly ideal for maximizing solar output.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Damak, Koshi, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 25 degrees facing South. This angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Damak's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

• Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall and increased cloud cover during the summer monsoon (June to September) may temporarily reduce solar output.
• Air pollution: Damak, Koshi, like many urban areas in Nepal, can experience air pollution, which may slightly decrease panel efficiency.

Preventative Measures

To mitigate these potential challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider the following measures when installing solar panels:

1. Use high-quality, weather-resistant panels that can withstand heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. 2. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and pollutants that may accumulate on the panels. 3. Consider installing a tracking system to adjust panel angles throughout the year, maximizing energy capture during all seasons.

Overall, Damak's location presents a highly favorable environment for solar PV energy generation, with consistent output throughout the year and particularly strong performance in spring. By addressing the few environmental challenges through proper installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in this area can achieve excellent year-round productivity.

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 Damak

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.6576, Longitude: 87.706 (Damak, 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 Damak, Nepal

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Damak, Nepal (Lat/Long 26.6576, 87.706) 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 Damak, 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 Damak, 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 Damak, 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 Damak, 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 Damak, Nepal

The topography around Damak, Nepal, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from the flat plains of the Terai region to the foothills of the Himalayas. Damak itself is situated in a relatively flat area, with an elevation of approximately 163 meters above sea level. The surrounding terrain is primarily composed of gently rolling hills and fertile agricultural land. To the south of Damak, the landscape is predominantly flat, featuring expansive agricultural fields and scattered settlements. This area is part of the Terai region, known for its rich soil and favorable conditions for farming. As one moves northward from Damak, the terrain gradually becomes more undulating, with low hills and small valleys appearing in the landscape.

Nearby Areas Suitable for Large-Scale Solar PV

The regions surrounding Damak offer several potential locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The most suitable areas for such projects would be found in the flat, open spaces of the Terai region to the south of Damak. These areas benefit from several advantageous factors for solar energy production: Firstly, the flat terrain of the Terai provides ample space for the installation of large solar arrays without the need for extensive land preparation or terracing. This reduces construction costs and simplifies the installation process. Secondly, the region experiences a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year, with relatively few cloudy days. This consistent solar radiation is crucial for maximizing energy production from PV panels. Thirdly, the agricultural lands in the Terai that are less productive or lying fallow could be repurposed for solar energy production, creating a dual-use scenario that benefits both the energy sector and local farmers. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, land use rights, and the potential effects on local communities. Additionally, proximity to existing power infrastructure and the capacity of the local grid to accommodate new energy inputs would be crucial factors in determining the most suitable locations for solar PV installations in the vicinity of Damak.

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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