Solar PV Analysis of Godhra, India
Godhra, Gujarat, India, situated at 22.776°N, 73.6168°E, presents a promising location for solar energy generation. This tropical region experiences consistent sunlight throughout the year, with seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods than temperature fluctuations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar PV installations in Godhra demonstrate robust energy production across all seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 7.37 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer, autumn, and winter maintain steady outputs of 5.08, 4.82, and 4.79 kWh/day respectively, per kW installed.
The relatively small variation between seasons, except for the spring peak, indicates a reliable year-round solar resource. This consistency is advantageous for planning and maintaining a stable energy supply throughout the year.
Optimal Panel Positioning
For fixed solar panel installations in Godhra, Gujarat, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 21 degrees facing South. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's orbit.
Environmental Considerations
While Godhra's climate is generally favorable for solar energy, there are a few 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.
- Dust accumulation: The region's dry periods can lead to dust buildup on panels, potentially decreasing efficiency.
To mitigate these issues, consider implementing regular panel cleaning schedules, especially during dry seasons. Installing panels at the optimal angle helps with natural cleaning during rainy periods. Additionally, using high-quality, weather-resistant solar equipment can enhance durability and maintain efficiency in varying weather conditions.
Overall, Godhra's location offers excellent potential for solar energy production, with consistent output throughout the year and particularly high yields during spring. With proper installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in this area can provide a reliable and sustainable energy source.
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 Godhra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.776, Longitude: 73.6168 (Godhra, 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 21° South in Godhra, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Godhra, India (Lat/Long 22.776, 73.6168) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Godhra, 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 Godhra, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° 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 | 29° South in Autumn | 38° South in Winter | 16° 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 Godhra, 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 Godhra, 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 Godhra, India
The topography around Godhra, India, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling terrain and relatively flat areas. Godhra is situated in the eastern part of Gujarat state, in a region known as the Panchmahal district. The landscape in this area is primarily composed of low-lying plains with occasional small hills and undulating surfaces.
The region surrounding Godhra features a combination of agricultural lands, scattered forests, and some urban development. The terrain gradually rises as you move eastward towards the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh, where the land becomes more hilly and forested. To the west, the landscape tends to flatten out as it approaches the more arid regions of central Gujarat.
Several small rivers and streams flow through the area, including the Mesri River, which passes near Godhra. These water bodies have shaped the local topography over time, creating some shallow valleys and flood plains. The soil in this region is generally fertile, supporting various agricultural activities.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the relatively flat lands to the west and southwest of Godhra offer promising potential. These areas typically receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The gently sloping terrain in these directions also provides good drainage, which is beneficial for maintaining solar installations.
Specifically, the rural areas between Godhra and the city of Vadodara, about 60-80 kilometers to the southwest, could be particularly suitable for solar PV projects. These locations offer a combination of open spaces, good solar irradiance, and proximity to existing power infrastructure, which is crucial for connecting large-scale solar farms to the grid.
It's important to note that while the topography is favorable in many nearby areas, the final suitability for solar PV would also depend on factors such as land availability, local regulations, environmental considerations, and proximity to transmission lines. Any large-scale solar project would require detailed site-specific assessments to determine the optimal location.
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: Saturday 20th 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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