Solar PV Analysis of Swat, Pakistan
Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan could be a good location for generating electricity through solar power all year round. However, the amount of energy produced will vary depending on the season.
In simple terms, the solar panels would produce the most energy during summer days, with an average of 7.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This means that if you had a 1 kW solar panel system installed in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it could potentially generate around 7.35 kWh of electricity each day during summer.
During autumn and spring, your panels would still produce a decent amount of energy - about 4.96 kWh/day and 5.82 kWh/day respectively for each kW installed.
Winter is when your panels would generate the least amount of electricity due to fewer daylight hours and possibly more cloudy days - only about 3.44 kWh/day per kW installed.
To get maximum benefit from your solar installation throughout the year in Swat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, you should tilt your panels at an angle facing south by about 31 degrees. This position allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over different seasons.
As far as local factors that might affect how much electricity your panels can produce are concerned:
- Weather: In areas where there's lots of rain or cloud cover like monsoon season in Pakistan can reduce sunlight reaching your panels which may decrease their output.
- Dust & Dirt: If dust or dirt builds up on your panels they won't be able to absorb sunlight as effectively.
- Shade: Buildings or trees casting shadows on your solar setup can also limit its performance.
To tackle these issues:
- Regular Cleaning: Keep an eye on whether dust or dirt is building up on the surface of the panels and clean them regularly to ensure they're working efficiently.
- Positioning Panels Correctly: Try to install them in places where they'll get maximum sun exposure and minimal shade.
- Weatherproofing: While solar panels are generally designed to withstand weather conditions, additional weatherproofing measures can be taken if necessary.
Remember that these factors will vary from place to place and the impact on your solar power generation might not be significant depending on local conditions. It's always best to consult with a professional solar installer for advice tailored to your specific situation.
Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° 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 Swat
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 35.3755, Longitude: 72.1716 (Swat, 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 31° South in Swat, Pakistan
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Swat, Pakistan (Lat/Long 35.3755, 72.1716) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Swat, 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 Swat, Pakistan. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° South in Summer | 40° South in Autumn | 50° 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 Swat, 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 Swat, 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 Swat, Pakistan
Swat, Pakistan is located in the northern region of the country and is known for its mountainous terrain. The area is part of the Hindukush mountain range, with high peaks, deep valleys and rivers. The terrain can be quite rugged and steep in places.
The climate varies with altitude: it's cooler in the higher elevations and warmer in the lower-lying areas. Swat valley has a moderate climate during summer but winters can be cold with heavy snowfall.
Regarding suitability for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flatter areas or south-facing slopes would generally be more suitable to maximize sun exposure. However, given Swat's geographic location within a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, this could potentially limit sunlight availability due to shadows cast by these mountains especially during winter months when sun path is low.
Areas nearby that might be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations could include:
1. Lower lying regions around Mardan or Peshawar which are relatively flat.
2. Areas along river plains where land may be flatter.
3. On rooftops or built structures within urbanized parts of Swat Valley itself.
4. Unused agricultural fields if they're available.
However, feasibility studies including detailed topographic surveys and solar irradiation assessments would need to be conducted before any definitive conclusions could be drawn about specific locations' suitability for large scale solar PV projects.
Also consider local infrastructure (like roads), proximity to electricity grid connections (for ease of feeding generated power into grid), local regulations regarding land use change etc., while selecting suitable sites for such projects.
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: Wednesday 3rd of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
