# Assessment of urban rooftop grid connected solar potential in Nepal,a case study of residential buildings in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Biratnagar cities

**Authors:** J. N. Shrestha, D. B. Raut  
**arXiv:** [2009.02524](https://arxiv.org/abs/2009.02524)  
**Date:** 2020-09-05  
**Summary page:** https://www.summarizepaper.com/en/paper/2009.02524v1/

## Key points

- The paper focuses on assessing the technical, financial, and market potential of rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential buildings in major cities of Nepal.
- The study aims to address the existing severe power crisis in Nepal and enhance energy security by harnessing the abundant solar PV potential.
- Approximately 300,000 residential buildings in Kathmandu valley alone are using battery-inverter backup systems that heavily consume subsidized grid electricity during peak demand times.
- Rooftop solar PV systems have not been widely installed in major cities like Kathmandu valley due to high initial investment for solar energy.
- A better understanding of the market from demand, supply, and regulatory perspectives is crucial before implementing proper interventions.
- The average rooftop area available for PV installation is 14.5 sq.m in Kathmandu Valley; 12.45 sq.m in Pokhara; and 19 sq.m in Biratnagar respectively considering the total number of residential buildings.
- The total rooftop PV power potential was estimated to be 970 MWp across all three cities which could generate 1,310 GWh/year or approximately 35% of the electricity sold by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) during fiscal year 2014/15 based on a 1.5 kWp PV system design per household and market price of 2016 with Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) ranging from NRs 8/kWh to NRs 20/kWh for basic lighting to a full load consisting of domestic electrical appliances respectively.
- Technical barriers for grid connection of rooftop solar in Nepal are not major issues as clear guidelines have been set by Nepal Electricity Authority.
- Proper interventions are needed to overcome barriers and promote adoption of solar energy in residential buildings to resolve power crisis, enhance energy security, and contribute towards diversified energy mix.

## Summary

This paper focuses on assessing the technical, financial, and market potential of rooftop Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems on residential buildings in major cities of Nepal, specifically Kathmandu valley, Pokhara, and Biratnagar. The study aims to address the existing severe power crisis in Nepal and enhance energy security by harnessing the abundant solar PV potential. The Ministry of Energy, Government of Nepal has emphasized the need for promoting solar PV energy in their recent report titled "National Energy Crisis Mitigation 2016". It is found that approximately 300,000 residential buildings in Kathmandu valley alone are using battery-inverter backup systems that heavily consume subsidized grid electricity during peak demand times. This puts additional pressure on the national grid and exacerbates the already severe load shedding situation. Currently, rooftop solar PV systems have not been widely installed in major cities like Kathmandu valley due to high initial investment for solar energy which has led residential users to rely on inefficient electrical inverter backup systems. Therefore, a better understanding of the market from demand, supply, and regulatory perspectives is crucial before implementing proper interventions. To achieve this objective, the study conducted a field survey using questionnaires prepared for residential households, PV suppliers, and solar project financing institutions. The survey revealed that the average rooftop area available for PV installation is 14.5 sq.m in Kathmandu Valley; 12.45 sq.m in Pokhara; and 19 sq.m in Biratnagar respectively considering the total number of residential buildings (557 027 in Kathmandu; 77 523 in Pokhara; 33 075 in Biratnagar). The total rooftop PV power potential was estimated to be 970 MWp across all three cities which could generate 1 310 GWh/year or approximately 35% of the electricity sold by Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) during fiscal year 2014/15 based on a 1.5 kWp PV system design per household and market price of 2016 with Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) ranging from NRs 8/kWh to NRs 20/kWh for basic lighting to a full load consisting of domestic electrical appliances respectively. The study also found that technical barriers for grid connection of rooftop solar in Nepal are not major issues as clear guidelines have been set by Nepal Electricity Authority. In conclusion this paper provides a comprehensive assessment of potential for rooftop solar PV systems in major cities of Nepal highlighting need for proper interventions to overcome barriers and promote adoption of solar energy in residential buildings so as to resolve power crisis enhance energy security contribute towards diversified energy mix thereby achieving sustainable development goals set by UNDP 2030 agenda .