Solar PV Analysis of Chakwal, Pakistan
The location at Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan is quite suitable for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced varies with each season, but it remains relatively high even in winter.
In simpler terms, if you install a solar panel system of 1 kilowatt (kW), you can expect to generate an average of about 7.06 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer, 6.71 kWh/day in spring, 5.22 kWh/day in autumn and around 4 kWh/day during winter months.
This suggests that the most ideal times to generate solar energy at this location are during summer and spring when sunlight hours are longer and more intense. However, even during autumn and winter seasons where sunlight may be less intense or for fewer hours a day compared to other seasons, there is still a decent amount of power production which makes it viable for year-round generation.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels towards south at an angle of approximately 29 degrees will help maximize total yearly production from your solar PV system as it allows them to capture maximum available sunlight over different times of the year.
Now let's talk about any potential issues that could affect your solar production here:
Chakwal is located in Northern Sub Tropics where weather conditions generally favour solar power generation but factors like dust storms or heavy rainfall could potentially reduce output by blocking sunlight from reaching your panels directly. In addition local pollution levels might also have some impact on efficiency levels due to deposition on panels reducing their ability to absorb light effectively.
To combat these issues preventive measures such as regular cleaning & maintenance should be carried out especially after adverse weather conditions or periods with higher pollution levels ensuring greater energy production overall.
Overall though these factors do not significantly impede the effectiveness making Chakwal a good place for harnessing Solar Energy through Photovoltaic systems.
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 144 locations across Pakistan. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Pakistan by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Chakwal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 32.112, Longitude: 72.9162 (Chakwal, Pakistan), 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 29° South in Chakwal, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Chakwal, Pakistan (Lat/Long 32.112, 72.9162) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Chakwal, Pakistan
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 Chakwal, Pakistan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 47° South in Winter | 25° 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 Chakwal, Pakistan
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 Chakwal, Pakistan.
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 Chakwal, Pakistan
Chakwal, Pakistan is located in the Potohar Plateau region, which is characterized by undulating plains interspersed with hills and crossed by several rivers and streams. The terrain is a mix of highlands and lowlands with an average elevation of about 500 meters above sea level. The soil tends to be rocky and infertile, but there are also areas of fertile loam suitable for agriculture.
The climate in Chakwal is semi-arid with hot summers and cold winters. It receives moderate rainfall primarily during the monsoon season from July to September. However, it has ample sunlight throughout the year making it suitable for solar power generation.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are usually preferred as they require less groundwork before installation can begin. Therefore, the lower lying areas around Chakwal would potentially be more suited for this purpose.
However, other factors should also be considered such as proximity to existing power grids for easy transmission of electricity generated; availability of land (whether privately owned or government-owned); environmental impact assessment; local regulations related to land use etc.
In terms of specific nearby locations that could be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations based on topography alone:
1) Areas near Jhelum River due its relatively flat river plain.
2) Agricultural lands that are not very fertile may also serve this purpose well because they receive plenty of sunlight but aren't being effectively used otherwise.
3) Some parts within Thal Desert could also potentially house solar farms given their abundant sunshine though water scarcity might pose operational challenges here.
It's important to note that a detailed feasibility study including all aforementioned factors needs to be conducted before identifying exact sites most suited for large scale Solar PV projects in any region including around Chakwal,Pakistan.
Pakistan solar PV Stats as a country
Pakistan ranks 42nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 1,083 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Pakistan is generating 6 Watts from solar PV per capita (Pakistan ranks 78th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Pakistan?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Pakistan. The government of Pakistan has implemented a number of policies and initiatives 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 also set up a Renewable Energy Development Fund (REDF) which provides grants and loans to support renewable energy projects.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Pakistan? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 18th of April 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.
