Solar PV Analysis of Mardan, Pakistan
Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, located in the Northern Sub Tropics, can be a good location for generating energy through solar panels year-round. The amount of electricity that can be produced per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies with each season. In simpler terms, during the summer you can expect to get about 7.80 units of electricity per day for every kW of solar power you have installed. This drops to about 5.33 units in autumn and further down to 3.98 units in winter before rising again to around 6.74 units in spring.
Given these figures, it's clear that summer is the best time of year for producing solar energy at this location due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight; however, decent production levels are also achievable during spring and autumn.
If you're considering installing fixed panel solar PV at this location, setting up your panels with a tilt angle facing 30 degrees South will give you the maximum total production from your system throughout the year.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect how much energy your panels produce - such as weather conditions or environmental issues like dust or air pollution which could block sunlight from reaching your panels effectively.
In Mardan specifically – given its semi-arid climate – one potential issue could be dust accumulation on the surface of the panels which would reduce their efficiency over time if not regularly cleaned off.
To prevent this from becoming an issue and ensure greater energy production from your installation, it's recommended that regular maintenance checks are carried out on any installed systems - including cleaning off any accumulated dust or debris from panel surfaces using soft brushes or specialized cleaning solutions designed for use with photovoltaic systems.
Also consider installing some sort of protective covering over your system (like a canopy) if possible - especially during particularly dusty periods or sandstorms common to arid regions- so as not to impede sunlight absorption while also protecting your panels from potential damage.
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 Mardan
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 34.2838, Longitude: 71.9486 (Mardan, 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 30° South in Mardan, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mardan, Pakistan (Lat/Long 34.2838, 71.9486) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Mardan, 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 Mardan, Pakistan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° South in Summer | 39° South in Autumn | 49° South in Winter | 27° 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 Mardan, 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 Mardan, 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 Mardan, Pakistan
Mardan is located in the northeastern part of Pakistan, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The topography around Mardan is relatively flat with some hilly areas. The city itself sits on a plain and is surrounded by agricultural land. To the north and west, you will find more mountainous regions as it approaches the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountains.
The climate in Mardan is hot during summers (April to June) with temperatures often reaching above 40°C (104°F). Winters are mild to cool from November to February with temperatures ranging between 4°C (39°F) and 18°C (64°F). The region receives an average annual rainfall of about 500 mm but most precipitation occurs during monsoon season from July to September.
Considering these factors, large scale solar PV systems could be ideally suited for areas that have flat terrain and high exposure to sunlight. Areas away from residential or commercial development would be preferable due to less shadowing effect and availability of large tracts of land for installation.
Potential spots could include open agricultural lands or barren lands around Mardan where there's ample sunlight throughout the year. However, careful consideration must be taken not to disrupt local agriculture or natural habitats when planning such installations.
It's also important that any proposed site has good infrastructure access for installation, operation, maintenance purposes as well as connectivity options for power transmission lines if electricity generated needs feeding into grid system.
As always before embarking on such a project it would be important to conduct a detailed feasibility study considering all physical, environmental and socio-economic aspects involved.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 27th 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.
