Solar PV Analysis of Balasore, India
Balasore, Odisha, India is a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate, which provides consistent sunlight most of the time. The amount of electricity produced from each kW of installed solar varies with seasons but remains fairly high: it's 4.51 kWh/day in summer, 4.19 kWh/day in autumn, 4.28 kWh/day in winter and peaks at 5.97 kWh/day in spring.
The best times for producing solar energy are during spring and summer when sunlight is abundant and days are longer. Even so, autumn and winter still offer quite decent production levels given that Balasore is located near the equator where daylight hours don't vary as much between seasons compared to regions further away.
For optimal results from your solar PV installation here, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20 degrees facing southward to maximize total annual production.
However, there could be some local factors that may affect the efficiency of your solar panels such as heavy rainfall or dust storms common during monsoon season which can cover panels reducing their output significantly. To mitigate this issue regular cleaning and maintenance would ensure they remain effective all year round.
Also consider potential shading issues from nearby buildings or trees especially if these cast shadows on your panels during peak sun hours (10 am -2 pm). This can be prevented through careful site selection ensuring no obstructions are present nearby or potentially trimming back any overhanging branches etc.
In conclusion Balasore offers great potential for harnessing solar power throughout the year however keep in mind some local environmental factors which could affect performance but can largely be mitigated through appropriate measures.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 Balasore
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.5027, Longitude: 86.9401 (Balasore, 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 20° South in Balasore, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Balasore, India (Lat/Long 21.5027, 86.9401) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 20° 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 Balasore, 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 Balasore, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 20° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6° South in Summer | 28° South in Autumn | 36° South in Winter | 15° 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 Balasore, 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 Balasore, 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 Balasore, India
Balasore is located in the coastal region of Odisha, India. The topography is relatively flat with a mix of fertile plains and low hills, making it suitable for agricultural activities. It has a tropical climate with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year.
Considering solar PV installations, areas with flat terrain would be most suited as they provide an unobstructed exposure to sunlight. Also, regions that are not prone to flooding or waterlogging should be considered due to Balasore's heavy monsoon rains.
The barren lands or non-agricultural lands around Balasore would be ideal for large-scale solar PV installation. This will ensure that there is no disruption to local farming activities. Additionally, locations closer to existing power transmission lines would also be beneficial for easy connection and distribution of generated electricity.
However, detailed site-specific studies including solar irradiance analysis (amount of sunlight available), land use patterns and environmental impact assessments among others need to be carried out before deciding on specific sites for such large scale projects.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 3rd of April 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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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.
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.
