Solar PV Analysis of Khanewal, Pakistan
The location at Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan is quite good for year-round energy generation through solar PV panels. The amount of electricity that can be generated varies across different seasons. In the summer and spring, you can expect to generate around 6.33kWh/day and 6.51kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar power, which are the highest figures among all seasons.
During autumn and winter, the output drops a bit to 4.82kWh/day and 3.55kWh/day per kW respectively due to less sunlight hours but it's still decent enough for generating electricity using solar power.
So if you're thinking about when would be the best times in a year to generate solar energy at this location, it would definitely be during spring and summer as these seasons provide maximum sunlight hours hence more energy production.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 28 degrees towards South will allow them to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year thereby maximizing total annual production from your solar PV system.
However there could be certain environmental or weather factors that might hinder optimal solar production at this site such as dust storms (common in sub-tropical regions) which may cover up your panels reducing their efficiency or heavy monsoon rains which can potentially damage them if not properly protected.
To counter these issues, regular cleaning & maintenance of panels should be done especially after dust storms to ensure they're always clean & running efficiently. Also installing durable protective covers for rainy season could save them from possible damages caused by heavy rainfall thus ensuring greater energy production year-round without any major interruptions.
Additionally considering professional installation services who understand local climate conditions well could help set up your system in a way that minimizes potential impacts from these environmental factors further boosting overall performance & longevity of your Solar PV system.
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 Khanewal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 31.5563, Longitude: 74.1542 (Khanewal, 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 Khanewal, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Khanewal, Pakistan (Lat/Long 31.5563, 74.1542) 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 Khanewal, 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 Khanewal, 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 Khanewal, 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 Khanewal, 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 Khanewal, Pakistan
The coordinates you provided are actually for Lahore, not Khanewal.
Khanewal is located in the province of Punjab, Pakistan and has a relatively flat topography with an average elevation of around 128 meters above sea level. The region is largely agricultural, featuring fertile plains.
Lahore (coordinates: 31.5563,74.1542) also lies in the province of Punjab and features a similar topography to Khanewal - mainly flat and plain areas with some small hills.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with high levels of solar irradiance and minimal shading are ideal. Both Khanewal and Lahore receive an ample amount of sunlight throughout the year which makes them suitable for solar power generation.
However, considering factors such as land availability and proximity to transmission lines:
1) In Lahore region: Outskirts or rural areas near Lahore could be potential sites due to more available land space away from dense urban structures that may cause shading issues.
2) In Khanewal region: Large-scale agricultural fields could be used for dual-purpose farming where solar panels can be installed above crops (agrovoltaics or agrivoltaics). This allows for simultaneous crop cultivation and electricity generation without competing for land use.
In both cases, it's important to conduct detailed site assessments including local environmental impacts before installation.
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: Wednesday 3rd 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.
