Solar PV Analysis of Dehradun, India
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of electricity you can produce from solar panels changes with the seasons, but even in winter you'd still get a decent amount. In simple terms, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed at this location, you could expect to generate about 5.73 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer, 6.67 kWh/day in spring, 5.07 kWh/day in autumn and 4.40 kWh/day in winter.
The best time to generate solar power at this location would be during spring when the sunlight is most abundant and direct resulting into highest daily output of around 6.67kWh/kW.
To make the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, they should be installed at an angle facing South about 28 degrees from horizontal level - that's because it maximizes exposure to sunlight over the course of a day as well as across different seasons.
However there might be some local factors that could affect how much electricity your panels can produce. For example Dehradun has monsoon season which may result into cloudy skies reducing sunlight availability or heavy rainfall potentially damaging equipment if not properly protected.
Preventative measures such as weather-resistant panel installations and regular maintenance checks are recommended to ensure greater energy production despite these environmental challenges. Also installation site should ideally have minimal shade or shadow falling on it especially during peak sun hours i.e., between morning till afternoon time period when sun rays are strongest and most direct which will help maximize energy production from these PV systems.
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 Dehradun
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 30.3275, Longitude: 78.0325 (Dehradun, 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 28° South in Dehradun, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dehradun, India (Lat/Long 30.3275, 78.0325) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Dehradun, 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 Dehradun, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° South in Summer | 37° South in Autumn | 45° South in Winter | 24° 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 Dehradun, 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 Dehradun, 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 Dehradun, India
Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand in northern India, is located in the Doon Valley on the foothills of the Himalayas nestled between two of India's mightiest rivers — the Ganges on the east and the Yamuna on the west. The topography around Dehradun is diverse, with river valleys, plateaus, and high-altitude mountain ranges. The region has a varied terrain that includes flat lands as well as hilly areas.
The surrounding regions have a mix of forested areas and agricultural land. As such, it would be important to consider environmental impact before setting up large-scale solar PV systems.
As for suitability for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Flat Lands: Large scale solar projects require vast expanses of relatively flat land to maximize efficiency and ease installation process. Thus, parts of Dehradun that are flatter could potentially host such projects.
2. High Altitude Areas: Although these may pose logistical challenges due to difficult access and installation complexities, high altitude areas receive more sunlight which could make them suitable for smaller solar installations or concentrated solar power (CSP) setups.
3. Agricultural Land: If dual-use can be implemented (agriculture + photovoltaics), some agricultural lands may also be suited for photovoltaic systems without disrupting farming activities too much - this concept is known as agrovoltaics or agrivoltaics.
4. Industrial Zones: Existing industrial zones with ample rooftop space can also be utilized for installing rooftop solar panels without requiring additional ground space.
However, actual feasibility would depend upon detailed local surveys considering various factors including sunlight availability throughout year (solar irradiance data), land ownership issues, environmental impacts etc.
Remember that while Dehradun receives good amount of sunlight being in tropical zone making it technically suitable for Solar PV generation but monsoon months might see reduced production due to cloud cover.
Also, the state of Uttarakhand has various policies to promote renewable energy including solar PV which can be leveraged for such 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: Tuesday 16th of July 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.
