The Potential for Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems in Nepal

Nepal possesses a good solar resource, and there has been increasing interest in the use of photovoltaic systems. About 1.1 million home systems, rated at nearly 30 MWp, have installed across Nepal. With introduction net metering by Electricity Authority, an increase rooftop photovoltaics (RPV) is expected. However, to inform any policy developments around increased electricity generation, uptake RPV, need quantify potential such systems (a situation mirrored many developing countries). To this end, study utilized hierarchical geospatial technique based on open-source data estimate output from RPV several cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Nepalgunj, Biratnagar). It was found that theoretical ranged 637 GWh per annum, Kathmandu, 50 annum Butwal. Moreover, total urban households estimated be order 6.5 TWh annum. As such, findings paper can used make informed decisions about future Nepal’s energy mix.