Solar PV Analysis of Basti, India
Basti, Uttar Pradesh, India, situated at 26.7836°N, 82.7133°E in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons, with some periods being more favorable than others.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Spring stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, with an impressive daily output of 6.26 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, generating 4.63 kWh/day and 4.56 kWh/day, respectively. Winter sees a slight dip in production, yielding 3.44 kWh/day, but still maintains a respectable output.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 25-degree angle facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the city's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Basti generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall and increased cloud cover during the monsoon months (typically June to September) may temporarily reduce solar output.
- Air pollution: Being in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, Basti can experience periods of high air pollution, potentially affecting solar panel efficiency.
Mitigating Factors
To address these challenges and ensure optimal solar energy production, consider the following preventative measures:
1. Install high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels that can withstand heavy rainfall and humidity during the monsoon season.
2. Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and pollutants that may accumulate on the panels, particularly during dry and polluted periods.
3. Consider using microinverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading caused by cloud cover or pollution.
4. Explore the possibility of tracking systems to further enhance energy capture, especially during the less productive winter months.
By implementing these measures, solar installations in Basti can capitalize on the city's generally favorable conditions for solar energy production while mitigating the impact of seasonal and environmental challenges.
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 Basti
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 26.7836, Longitude: 82.7133 (Basti, 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 25° South in Basti, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Basti, India (Lat/Long 26.7836, 82.7133) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Basti, 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 Basti, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° South in Summer | 32° South in Autumn | 41° South in Winter | 21° 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 Basti, 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 Basti, 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 Basti, India
The area around Basti, India, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Gangetic Plain. This region is part of the vast, low-lying alluvial plain formed by the Ganges River and its tributaries. The landscape is predominantly composed of fertile agricultural land, with occasional gentle undulations and small hillocks.
The topography in and around Basti is generally uniform, with elevations ranging from about 80 to 100 meters above sea level. The area is dotted with numerous small rivers and streams that flow towards the larger Ghaghra River, which is a major tributary of the Ganges. These waterways have shaped the local landscape over time, creating subtle variations in the otherwise flat terrain.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the open, flat agricultural lands surrounding Basti. These locations offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- Abundant open space: The expansive agricultural fields provide ample room for large solar arrays without significant land-use conflicts.
- Minimal shading: The flat terrain means there are few natural obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing sun exposure throughout the day.
- Easy access: The relatively level ground makes it simpler and more cost-effective to construct and maintain solar installations.
- Good solar irradiance: The region receives substantial sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar energy generation.
Specifically, the areas to the east and south of Basti city would be particularly well-suited for large-scale solar PV projects. These regions have fewer settlements and more continuous stretches of open land. Additionally, they are closer to major roads and power infrastructure, which could facilitate easier grid connection and maintenance access.
However, it's important to note that while the topography is favorable, other factors such as land ownership, local regulations, and environmental considerations would need to be taken into account when planning any large-scale solar installations in the region.
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: Thursday 26th of September 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.
