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Seasonal and Spatial Assessment of Solar Irrigation Pump Energy Generation, Utilization, and Surplus Potential in Bangladesh

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  2026 ASABE Annual International Meeting  2600247.(doi:10.13031/aim.202600247)
Authors:   Chayan Kumer Saha, Sabyasachi Niloy, Md. Harun Rashid, A. K. M. Abdullah Al-Amin, Anisur Rahman, Md. Sanaul Huda, Cham Athwal, Lynsey Melville
Keywords:   Click here to enter keywords and key phrases, separated by commas, with a period at the end

Abstract. Solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) are increasingly promoted in Bangladesh as a clean-energy alternative to diesel-powered irrigation systems. However, their seasonal energy generation, irrigation energy utilization, and surplus potential remain insufficiently quantified at the national scale. This study aims to assess the seasonal and spatial patterns of photovoltaic (PV) energy generation, pump energy consumption, and surplus energy availability from 3,443 SIP sites across Bangladesh. Secondary data on SIP locations and installed panel capacities (2010-2024), irrigation duration, pump daily energy use were combined with remote-sensing-based monthly solar radiation data (2001–2024) to estimate monthly PV energy generation, pump energy consumption and the outputs were aggregated seasonally and spatially using GIS. Python in Colab and ArcGIS 10.8 were utilized for analysis and visualization. The results show that SIPs generated approximately 79.69 GWh of solar energy annually, of which 34.43 GWh (42% of the solar energy) was utilized for irrigation, leaving a substantial surplus of 45.26 GWh. Seasonal variation was evident: pump energy use was higher during the dry and spring irrigation periods (up to 5.98 GWh), while surplus energy was greatest during monsoon and post-monsoon months (up to 5.71 GWh) due to reduced irrigation demand. Spatially, the northwestern and western regions showed the highest SIP concentration, installed capacity, energy generation (7.49–14.58 GWh). These findings highlight the strong potential of SIP systems to downstream energy for agricultural and non- agricultural activities, thereby improving energy utilization and supporting low-carbon, climate-resilient rural development in Bangladesh.

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