Solar PV Analysis of Bhimavaram, India
Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, situated at 16.5518° N, 81.5243° E, offers a promising location for solar energy generation. This tropical region experiences consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.
The solar energy potential in Bhimavaram demonstrates notable consistency across seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.76 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Winter and summer follow closely, yielding 5.20 kWh/day and 5.12 kWh/day, respectively. Autumn shows a slight dip but still maintains a respectable 4.57 kWh/day.
For those considering fixed panel installations in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, the optimal tilt angle for maximizing year-round solar production is 15 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to account for the Earth's elliptical orbit and local solar elevation patterns, ensuring the most efficient capture of sunlight throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Bhimavaram presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region's tropical climate can bring periods of heavy rainfall, particularly during the monsoon season. This may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and direct precipitation on the panels.
To mitigate these effects, consider the following preventative measures:
- Install panels with high-quality, water-resistant sealing to protect against moisture damage
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris, which can accumulate more quickly in humid conditions
- Use anti-reflective coatings on panels to maximize light absorption, even during overcast periods
Despite these considerations, the consistent year-round sunlight and relatively high daily output across all seasons make Bhimavaram an ideal location for solar PV installations. With proper planning and maintenance, solar energy systems in this area can provide reliable and substantial power generation throughout the year.
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 Bhimavaram
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 16.5518, Longitude: 81.5243 (Bhimavaram, 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 15° South in Bhimavaram, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bhimavaram, India (Lat/Long 16.5518, 81.5243) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Bhimavaram, 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 Bhimavaram, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0° in Summer | 22° South in Autumn | 32° South in Winter | 10° 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 Bhimavaram, 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 Bhimavaram, 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 Bhimavaram, India
The topography around Bhimavaram, India, is characterized by a predominantly flat landscape typical of coastal regions. Located in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, Bhimavaram sits in the fertile Godavari River delta, close to where the river meets the Bay of Bengal. The area is known for its low-lying plains, with very little variation in elevation.
The terrain surrounding Bhimavaram consists mainly of agricultural lands, interspersed with numerous irrigation canals and small water bodies. Rice paddies dominate the landscape, giving the region a patchwork appearance of green fields. As you move closer to the coast, which is about 30 kilometers to the south, you'll find areas of wetlands and mangrove forests.
To the north and west of Bhimavaram, the land gradually rises, but still remains relatively flat. There are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity. The Kolleru Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in India, is located about 30 kilometers to the northwest of Bhimavaram, adding to the region's water-rich environment.
Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the regions to the north and northwest of Bhimavaram would likely be most appropriate. These areas tend to have slightly higher elevation and are less prone to flooding compared to the immediate surroundings of Bhimavaram. The land here is also less intensively cultivated, potentially offering more space for solar farms.
Specifically, the areas around the towns of Eluru and Tadepalligudem, located about 50-60 kilometers north of Bhimavaram, could be suitable candidates. These regions have more open spaces and a slightly drier climate, which is beneficial for solar energy production. Additionally, they are far enough from the coast to avoid the corrosive effects of salt spray on solar panels, yet close enough to major population centers to make power distribution feasible.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar project in this region would need to carefully consider land use issues, given the area's agricultural importance. Environmental impact assessments would be crucial to ensure that solar installations do not negatively affect the delicate ecosystem of the Godavari delta 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!
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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 28th of August 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.
