Solar PV Analysis of Faisalabad, Pakistan
Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, is an excellent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from a kilowatt of installed solar panels varies with the seasons. During summer and spring, you can expect around 6.36 and 6.52 kilowatt-hours per day respectively - these are the most productive times for solar power generation. Autumn produces slightly less at 4.75 kilowatt-hours per day while winter offers the lowest output at around 3.40 kilowatt-hours a day.
To maximize energy production all year round, it's recommended to tilt your solar panels at an angle of 28 degrees facing south if you have a fixed panel installation.
However, there might be some local factors that could potentially affect solar production in Faisalabad such as air pollution due to industrial activities and dust storms which are quite common in this region - these could block sunlight reaching your panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
To counteract these issues when installing your solar system:
1) Consider using cleaning mechanisms or regular maintenance schedules to keep your panels free from dust or debris.
2) Use high-quality panels with anti-reflective coating which helps resist soiling and requires less cleaning.
3) If possible install trackers on your panels so they move with the sun ensuring maximum exposure even on hazy days.
4) Lastly consider having a backup power source like a generator or battery storage system to ensure consistent power supply during periods of low sun exposure.
In conclusion, despite few challenges Faisalabad is largely an ideal location for harnessing solar energy due its geographical location within northern subtropics receiving ample sunlight most part of the year making it an efficient place for generating renewable energy via Solar PVs 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 Faisalabad
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.3709, Longitude: 73.0336 (Faisalabad, 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 28° South in Faisalabad, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Faisalabad, Pakistan (Lat/Long 31.3709, 73.0336) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Faisalabad, 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 Faisalabad, Pakistan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 46° South in Winter | 24° 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 Faisalabad, 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 Faisalabad, 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 Faisalabad, Pakistan
Faisalabad is located in the northeastern part of Pakistan, in the province of Punjab. The city lies on a flat plain and has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The terrain around Faisalabad is generally flat, with some low-lying hills to the north and west.
Considering its topography and climate, Faisalabad could be an ideal location for large-scale solar PV installations. The flat plains offer ample space for setting up solar panels without any major geographical hindrances like mountains or valleys. Also, the high amount of sunlight received throughout the year would ensure efficient energy production.
Nearby areas that are most suited for large-scale solar PV installations include:
1) Chak Jhumra: Located to the north of Faisalabad, this area has vast open lands suitable for setting up large-scale solar power plants.
2) Samundri: This is another area located to the east of Faisalabad which can be considered due to its flat topography and good sunlight exposure.
3) Jaranwala: Located south-east of Faisalabad, it also offers great potential due to similar reasons as above.
4) Tandlianwala: This region lies towards west-southwest from Faisalabad and could also be a good option considering its open spaces and high sunlight availability.
However, while selecting locations for such projects factors like proximity to transmission lines or substations (for ease of connecting produced power into grid), land acquisition costs & regulations should also be taken into consideration along with just topographical suitability.
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: Friday 12th 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.
