Solar PV Analysis of Giridih, India
Giridih, Jharkhand, India, situated in the Northern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. The city's geographical coordinates (24.183°N, 86.3137°E) provide favorable conditions for harnessing solar power, with varying levels of efficiency across different seasons.
Seasonal Solar Output
The solar energy potential in Giridih fluctuates across the four meteorological seasons. Spring emerges as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.14 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer and autumn follow with respectable yields of 4.71 kWh/day and 4.49 kWh/day, respectively. Winter experiences a slight dip in production, generating 4.09 kWh/day, but still maintains a significant output.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Giridih, Jharkhand, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 23-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Giridih presents favorable conditions for solar energy generation, there are some environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a monsoon season, typically from June to September, which can lead to increased cloud cover and rainfall. This may temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency during these months.
To mitigate the impact of monsoon weather, consider implementing the following measures:
- Install high-quality, weather-resistant solar panels designed to perform well in humid conditions
- Ensure proper drainage systems are in place to prevent water accumulation on or around the panels
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris, which can accumulate more quickly during the monsoon season
Despite these considerations, Giridih remains an excellent location for solar energy production. With its high solar potential, particularly during spring and summer, and relatively consistent output throughout the year, the city is well-suited for both small-scale and large-scale solar installations.
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 Giridih
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 24.183, Longitude: 86.3137 (Giridih, 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 23° South in Giridih, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Giridih, India (Lat/Long 24.183, 86.3137) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 23° 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 Giridih, 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 Giridih, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 23° 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 | 30° South in Autumn | 39° South in Winter | 18° 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 Giridih, 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 Giridih, 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 Giridih, India
The topography around Giridih, India, is characterized by a mix of hilly terrain and flat plains. This region is part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which is known for its undulating landscape. The area features numerous small hills and ridges interspersed with valleys and lowlands.
The terrain surrounding Giridih is generally rugged, with elevations varying from about 200 to 400 meters above sea level. The city itself is situated in a relatively flat area, but as you move outward, the landscape becomes more varied. To the north and east, you'll find more hilly areas with dense forests, while the southern and western parts tend to have gentler slopes and more open spaces.
Several small rivers and streams crisscross the region, creating fertile valleys between the hills. These waterways have shaped the land over time, carving out natural drainage patterns and contributing to the overall topographic diversity of the area.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the focus should be on relatively flat or gently sloping terrain with good exposure to sunlight. The southern and western outskirts of Giridih offer promising locations for such projects. These areas typically have fewer hills and more open spaces, which are ideal for setting up expansive solar panel arrays.
Specifically, the regions extending towards Dumri and Bengabad in the southwest, and the areas near Gawan and Jamua in the west, present favorable conditions for solar PV development. These locations generally have less dramatic elevation changes and fewer obstacles that could cast shadows on solar panels, thus maximizing their potential for sunlight capture throughout the day.
It's important to note that while the hilly areas might seem appealing due to their elevation, they often pose challenges for large-scale solar installations. The uneven terrain can make construction and maintenance more difficult and expensive. Additionally, the hills can create shading issues that reduce the efficiency of solar panels.
In conclusion, while the immediate vicinity of Giridih has a varied topography, the flatter areas to the south and west offer the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV projects. These regions provide a balance of suitable terrain and ample sunlight exposure, making them ideal candidates for renewable energy development in this part of India.
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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Tuesday 10th of September 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.
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