Solar PV Analysis of Asansol, India
Asansol, West Bengal, India is a pretty good location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The average amount of electricity that can be produced per kilowatt of installed solar panels varies by season, but it's generally quite high.
During summer, each kilowatt of solar power installed can produce about 4.72 kilowatts-hours (kWh) of electricity per day. In autumn, this drops slightly to around 4.43 kWh/day and in winter it decreases further to about 4.13 kWh/day. However, spring sees a significant increase with each kilowatt being able to generate around 6.09 kWh/day.
The best time to generate solar power in Asansol would likely be during the spring when sunlight is most abundant and the weather is usually clear.
When installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of approximately 22 degrees towards the south would maximize their total year-round production from solar photovoltaics (PV).
There might be some local factors that could potentially hinder solar production in Asansol such as dust accumulation on panels which may reduce their efficiency or monsoon rains which may limit sun exposure for extended periods during certain times of year.
To counteract these potential issues:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance should be carried out on the panels to remove any dust or debris that has accumulated over time.
2) A protective cover could also be considered for use during heavy rainfalls or storms.
3) Panels should ideally be placed in locations where they are less likely to get shaded from buildings or trees.
4) Using more efficient types of PV technology like bifacial modules which capture sunlight from both sides could mitigate some loss during cloudy days.
Overall though, considering its latitude and general weather conditions throughout most parts of the year; Asansol seems like a very viable place for harnessing energy through solar PV systems despite some minor challenges that can easily be managed with proper planning and maintenance.
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 Asansol
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.6771, Longitude: 86.95 (Asansol, 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 22° South in Asansol, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Asansol, India (Lat/Long 23.6771, 86.95) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Asansol, 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 Asansol, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° 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 Asansol, 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 Asansol, India.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - 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 Asansol, India
Asansol is located in the eastern part of India, within the state of West Bengal. The topography around Asansol is characterized by undulating plains and small hills. The region also has some coal mines due to its rich mineral resources.
The climate in Asansol is tropical with high temperatures during summers (around 40 degrees Celsius) and moderate temperatures during winters (around 10-15 degrees Celsius). It receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar energy production.
For large-scale solar PV projects, flat or gently sloping areas are preferred as they require less land preparation and can accommodate more panels. Considering this, the plains around Asansol could be potential locations for such projects. Additionally, unused or barren lands near industrial zones could also be considered to minimize environmental impact.
However, a detailed feasibility study including factors like land availability, soil type, local weather conditions etc., would be needed before deciding on specific sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Sunday 7th of July 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
