Peak Sun Hours in Gilgit, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
- Solar zone
- Zone 3 (good)
- Best month
- July (6.5)
- Worst month
- December (2.3)
- Climate
- Continental · 1.7°C
Monthly solar breakdown
| Month | GHI | Clear-sky | DNI | DHI | Temp °C | Humid % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2.38 | 3.95 | 2.80 | 1.29 | -11.8 | 71 |
| Feb | 2.80 | 5.10 | 2.48 | 1.62 | -9.7 | 76 |
| Mar | 3.98 | 6.59 | 3.13 | 2.25 | -4.1 | 69 |
| Apr | 5.10 | 7.92 | 3.86 | 2.72 | 1.7 | 60 |
| May | 6.12 | 8.76 | 4.72 | 3.12 | 6.2 | 51 |
| Jun | 6.40 | 8.96 | 4.95 | 3.06 | 10.7 | 43 |
| Jul | 6.48 | 8.66 | 5.00 | 2.88 | 14.3 | 42 |
| Aug | 6.02 | 7.91 | 4.84 | 2.67 | 13.6 | 47 |
| Sep | 5.24 | 6.87 | 5.17 | 2.13 | 9.0 | 46 |
| Oct | 4.20 | 5.49 | 5.13 | 1.64 | 2.8 | 41 |
| Nov | 2.97 | 4.17 | 3.95 | 1.34 | -3.5 | 51 |
| Dec | 2.34 | 3.56 | 3.09 | 1.20 | -8.9 | 61 |
GHI, Clear-sky, DNI, DHI in kWh/m²/day. Data: NASA POWER climatology (long-term monthly averages).
Off-grid calculator
Add appliances
- Add an appliance to size a system.
Sizing
- Daily load
- 0.00 kWh
- Panel wattage
- 0 W
- Panel count (400W modules)
- 0
- Battery bank
- 0.0 kWh
Sizing against worst-month PSH of 2.34 kWh/m²/day, 0.77 system efficiency.
About solar in Gilgit
Gilgit, Pakistan has a continental climate with cold winters and warmer summers. Its annual peak sun hours average 4.5 kWh/m²/day, a good solar resource by global standards.
The strongest month in Gilgit is July (summer) at 6.48 kWh/m²/day, and the weakest is December (winter) at 2.34 kWh/m²/day. When sizing a year-round off-grid system, it's standard practice to design against the December value rather than the annual average — otherwise the battery bank runs low during the darkest weeks.
Gilgit's solar conditions are well within the range where off-grid PV is a straightforward engineering exercise with standard-sized arrays and lithium batteries.
FAQ
- What are the peak sun hours in Gilgit?
- Gilgit averages 4.5 peak sun hours per day annually, ranging from 2.34 in December to 6.48 in July.
- How many solar panels do I need in Gilgit?
- Panel count depends on your daily load. At Gilgit's annual average of 4.5 kWh/m²/day, a 5 kWh/day load needs roughly 4 × 400 W panels. Use the calculator above for your actual load.
- What size battery do I need in Gilgit?
- Sizing against Gilgit's worst month (December, 2.34 kWh/m²/day) with 2 days of autonomy at 80% depth of discharge, a 5 kWh/day load needs about a 12.5 kWh battery bank.
- How does Gilgit's solar resource compare globally?
- Gilgit sits in solar zone 3 out of 5 (where 5 is strongest) at 4.5 kWh/m²/day — good by global standards. For reference, top-tier desert sites average ~6.5 and high-latitude cities around 2.5 kWh/m²/day.
- Does snow block solar panels in Gilgit?
- Yes — snow cover can drop output to near zero. In Gilgit's winter months (around December), brush panels after significant snowfall or design with steep tilt (45°+) so snow slides off naturally.
- How much does winter hurt solar output in Gilgit?
- Gilgit's worst month is December at 2.34 kWh/m²/day versus 6.48 in July — a 92% seasonal swing. Off-grid continental systems usually combine oversized arrays with wood-stove or generator backup.
- Is solar worth it in a continental climate like Gilgit's?
- Yes, but the seasonal ratio matters. Gilgit's annual 4.5 kWh/m²/day is solid; grid-tied net metering works well (summer credits offset winter draw). Full off-grid needs generator or hydro backup.