Solar Energy Potential at Goladgaon, Maharashtra, India

Goladgaon, Maharashtra, India, located at latitude 19.8336° and longitude 75.6162°, offers considerable potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight patterns, making it generally favorable for solar PV installations. The seasonal electricity production shows interesting variations across the year. Spring stands out as the most productive season with an impressive 6.85 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer yields 4.99 kWh/day, followed by autumn with 4.86 kWh/day, while winter produces a still respectable 4.80 kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Optimal Installation Parameters

For fixed solar panel installations in Goladgaon, Maharashtra, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 19 degrees facing South. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture throughout the year, accounting for the location's position relative to the sun's path and the Earth's elliptical orbit. Spring clearly represents the peak production period in Goladgaon, Maharashtra, with output approximately 40% higher than other seasons. This makes March through May particularly valuable months for solar generation. The relatively consistent output during the remaining seasons (with less than 5% variation between summer, autumn, and winter) indicates dependable year-round generation potential.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several factors may affect solar production in Goladgaon:

• Monsoon season brings heavy rainfall and cloud cover, potentially reducing solar output significantly during these months.
• Dust accumulation is a common issue in this region, which can reduce panel efficiency by 10-30% if not addressed regularly.
• High summer temperatures may slightly decrease panel efficiency, as solar PV performance typically declines above 25°C.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these challenges, several preventative measures can be implemented: Installing panels with a proper cleaning schedule is essential, particularly before and after monsoon season. Self-cleaning panel technologies or regular maintenance plans can address dust accumulation effectively. Elevated mounting structures with adequate ventilation beneath panels can help mitigate efficiency losses due to high temperatures. Additionally, selecting high-efficiency panels rated for tropical conditions will ensure better performance in Goladgaon's climate. Implementing a robust weather monitoring system can help predict periods of reduced production, allowing for better energy management. Finally, considering a slight increase in system capacity to compensate for seasonal variations can ensure more consistent energy supply 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 Goladgaon

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.8336, Longitude: 75.6162 (Goladgaon, 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 19° South in Goladgaon, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Goladgaon, India (Lat/Long 19.8336, 75.6162) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Goladgaon, 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 Goladgaon, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
3° South in Summer	26° South in Autumn	35° South in Winter	13° 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 Goladgaon, 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 Goladgaon, India.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Goladgaon, India

The landscape around Goladgaon, located in Maharashtra state of India, presents a varied topography characteristic of the Deccan Plateau region. This area sits at approximately 580 meters above sea level and features gently rolling terrain with occasional undulations typical of the semi-arid parts of central India. The surrounding region consists primarily of flat expanses interrupted by shallow valleys and modest hills, creating a topographical profile that transitions between plains and low-elevation highlands. The natural terrain around Goladgaon is marked by open spaces with sparse vegetation dominated by drought-resistant shrubs and grasses. The soil composition tends toward the rocky and sandy side, with reddish-brown soils prevalent throughout the area. Several seasonal streams crisscross the landscape, though they typically carry water only during the monsoon season, leaving dry beds during the remainder of the year.

Solar PV Suitability in Surrounding Areas

The flat expanses to the east and southeast of Goladgaon present particularly favorable conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. These areas benefit from minimal shadowing effects due to the absence of significant geographical features that might obstruct sunlight. The generally level terrain requires minimal grading for construction, reducing development costs and environmental impact. The northwestern region beyond Goladgaon, extending toward Aurangabad district, offers another promising zone for solar development. This area combines favorable slope aspects with good accessibility via existing road networks, making it logistically advantageous for construction and maintenance of large solar arrays. Areas to avoid include the occasional water catchment zones that, while dry most of the year, can experience flash flooding during monsoon season. Similarly, the more populated pockets immediately surrounding Goladgaon village itself would present complications regarding land acquisition and potential conflicts with agricultural uses. The soil stability in the southeastern quadrant particularly stands out as advantageous for mounting systems, with sufficient depth to bedrock for secure anchoring without excessive drilling costs. This region also experiences relatively lower dust accumulation compared to the western approaches, which can be beneficial for panel efficiency and maintenance requirements. Land parcels approximately 5-8 kilometers from Goladgaon in the eastern direction offer an optimal balance of favorable topography, minimal competing land uses, and proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, making them prime candidates for large-scale solar PV development.

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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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

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.