The location in Phalia, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, situated at 33.873° latitude and 73.2145° longitude, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This northern subtropical region experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, providing opportunities for consistent electricity production via photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Seasonal Solar Output

Solar energy production at this location fluctuates with the changing seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.81 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, generating 6.37 kWh per day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.93 kWh daily. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 3.68 kWh per day, but still contributes significantly to the overall annual energy generation.

Optimal Panel Placement

To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 30 degrees facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Phalia are during the summer months, typically from May to August, when daylight hours are longer and solar irradiance is at its peak. Spring, particularly March to May, also offers excellent conditions for solar production. While autumn and winter see reduced output, they still contribute meaningfully to the overall energy generation, making solar PV a viable year-round solution in this location.

Potential Challenges and Mitigation

Despite the generally favorable conditions, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar production in Phalia:

• Dust and air pollution: The region may experience dust storms and air pollution, which can reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels can help mitigate this issue.
• Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon (July to September) might temporarily reduce solar output. Installing panels at the optimal angle can help with water runoff and minimize the impact on energy production.

To ensure greater energy production, it's advisable to use high-quality, dust-resistant solar panels and implement a regular cleaning schedule. Additionally, installing a monitoring system can help detect and address any performance issues promptly, maintaining optimal energy generation throughout the year.

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 Phalia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 33.873, Longitude: 73.2145 (Phalia, 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 Phalia, Pakistan

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Phalia, Pakistan (Lat/Long 33.873, 73.2145) 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 Phalia, 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 Phalia, 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
17° South in Summer	39° South in Autumn	49° South in Winter	26° 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 Phalia, 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 Phalia, Pakistan.

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 Phalia, Pakistan

The topography around Phalia, Pakistan, located at latitude 33.873 and longitude 73.2145, is characterized by a diverse landscape that transitions from the flat plains of Punjab to the foothills of the Himalayas. This region is part of the northern Punjab province, situated in the Gujrat district. The immediate vicinity of Phalia consists primarily of flat to gently rolling agricultural land. The terrain is relatively low-lying, with an average elevation of around 200 to 250 meters above sea level. This area is part of the fertile Punjab plains, known for its rich alluvial soil deposited by the rivers flowing from the Himalayas. As one moves northward and eastward from Phalia, the landscape gradually becomes more undulating, with small hills and elevated areas becoming more prominent. These subtle changes in elevation create a picturesque mix of flat farmlands interspersed with gentle slopes and occasional rocky outcrops. To the northeast, the terrain becomes increasingly hilly as it approaches the Siwalik Range, which forms the outermost foothills of the Himalayas. These hills, while not particularly high, provide a stark contrast to the flatter regions around Phalia and mark the beginning of more rugged terrain.

Areas Suitable for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the flat and gently sloping lands to the south and southwest of Phalia offer the most promise. These areas benefit from several advantageous factors for solar energy production: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain in these directions provides ample space for the installation of large solar arrays without the need for significant land modification. This flat topography also minimizes shading issues between solar panels, allowing for optimal arrangement and maximum sun exposure throughout the day. Secondly, these areas typically experience less cloud cover compared to the more hilly regions to the north and east. The clearer skies result in more direct sunlight reaching the solar panels, increasing their efficiency and overall energy production. Additionally, the agricultural nature of the land in these flatter regions often means there are already access roads and some basic infrastructure in place. This can significantly reduce the costs associated with developing a large-scale solar PV project. It's worth noting that while the hilly areas to the north and east may seem appealing due to their elevated positions, they are generally less suitable for large-scale solar installations. The uneven terrain can complicate construction and maintenance, and the potential for increased cloud cover in these higher elevation areas could reduce overall solar energy production. In conclusion, the areas to the south and southwest of Phalia, with their flat to gently rolling landscapes, offer the most promising conditions for large-scale solar PV development in the region.

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

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.