Solar Energy Potential in Aizawl, Mizoram, India

Aizawl, Mizoram, located in the northern sub-tropics of India, shows promising potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical position at latitude 23.7285° N and longitude 92.7188° E provides favorable conditions for harnessing solar power. The seasonal electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar panels in Aizawl varies, with spring being the most productive season. During spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 6.26 kWh per day. Summer and winter months offer similar outputs of 4.72 kWh/day and 4.78 kWh/day, respectively. Autumn provides a slightly higher yield at 5.10 kWh/day. For maximizing year-round solar production in Aizawl, Mizoram, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 23 degrees facing south. This optimal tilt angle ensures the panels receive the most direct sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's latitude.

Ideal Times for Solar Generation

Spring stands out as the most favorable season for solar energy production in Aizawl. The longer daylight hours and clearer skies during this period contribute to the higher energy output. Autumn follows as the second-best season, while summer and winter offer relatively consistent, though slightly lower, production levels.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Despite the overall positive outlook, there are some environmental factors that could potentially impact solar energy production in Aizawl: 1. Monsoon season: Aizawl experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon months (June to September), which can reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and reduced sunlight. 2. Air pollution: The city's growing urbanization may lead to increased air pollution, potentially affecting solar panel performance. To mitigate these challenges, several preventative measures can be taken during solar panel installation:

• Use high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rainfall and humidity.
• Install panels at the optimal tilt angle to maximize exposure during clearer periods.
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and pollutants from panel surfaces.
• Consider microinverter systems to minimize the impact of partial shading on overall system performance.

By addressing these factors, solar energy systems in Aizawl can maintain higher efficiency and productivity throughout the year, making the most of the city's favorable solar conditions.

Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 422 locations across India. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in India by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Aizawl

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.7285, Longitude: 92.7188 (Aizawl, India), 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 23° South in Aizawl, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Aizawl, India (Lat/Long 23.7285, 92.7188) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Aizawl, India

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 Aizawl, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
8° South in Summer	29° South in Autumn	39° South in Winter	17° 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 Aizawl, India

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 Aizawl, India.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Aizawl, India

Aizawl, the capital city of Mizoram in northeastern India, is situated in a region characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain. The city itself is perched atop a series of ridges, with steep slopes and deep valleys surrounding it. This hilly landscape is part of the larger Lushai Hills, which are an extension of the Arakan Mountain Range. The topography around Aizawl is dominated by steep hillsides, narrow valleys, and densely forested areas. The elevation of the city and its surroundings varies significantly, ranging from about 800 meters to over 1,100 meters above sea level. This dramatic change in elevation creates a diverse landscape with numerous ridges, plateaus, and gorges. Rivers and streams crisscross the region, carving out deep valleys and creating a network of waterways that flow through the rugged terrain. The Tlawng River, one of the major rivers in the area, flows to the west of Aizawl, further adding to the complexity of the topography.

Potential Areas for Large-Scale Solar PV

Given the challenging topography around Aizawl, finding suitable areas for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations can be difficult. However, there are some potential locations that could be considered: Firstly, the relatively flat hilltops and ridges in the vicinity of Aizawl could be suitable for solar PV installations. These areas often have good exposure to sunlight and may require less land preparation compared to steeper slopes. Some of these elevated plateaus can be found to the north and northeast of the city. Secondly, the valleys between the hills, particularly those with a south-facing aspect, could be potential sites for solar farms. While these areas might require some land clearing and preparation, they could provide the necessary space for larger installations. Thirdly, areas to the south and southeast of Aizawl, where the terrain becomes slightly less rugged, might offer more extensive flat or gently sloping land suitable for solar PV projects. These regions, while still hilly, tend to have broader valleys and more gradual slopes that could accommodate larger installations. It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to carefully consider factors such as land stability, accessibility for construction and maintenance, and potential environmental impacts. Additionally, the abundant rainfall in the area might necessitate robust drainage systems and weather-resistant solar panel designs. In conclusion, while the topography around Aizawl presents challenges for large-scale solar PV installations, there are potential areas that could be utilized with proper planning and engineering. The key would be to identify locations that balance favorable sun exposure with practical considerations of land use and infrastructure development.

India solar PV Stats as a country

India ranks 5th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 49,684 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 6.50% of India's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 11th in the world). Each year India is generating 36 Watts from solar PV per capita (India ranks 56th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in India?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in India. These include:

1. Capital Subsidy: The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides a capital subsidy of up to 30% on the cost of installing solar power systems for commercial and industrial establishments.

2. Accelerated Depreciation: Businesses can avail accelerated depreciation benefits under Section 32 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, which allows them to claim tax deductions on investments made in solar projects over a period of five years instead of claiming it all at once.

3. Net Metering: This policy allows businesses to sell excess electricity generated from their rooftop solar system back into the grid at retail rates, thus reducing their electricity bills significantly.

4. Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC): Businesses can earn SRECs by generating renewable energy through their rooftop solar systems and then selling these certificates in the open market or trading platforms like IEX or PXIL at predetermined prices set by state regulatory commissions.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in India? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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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.

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