Haddo, Andaman and Nicobar, India presents an excellent location for year-round solar PV energy generation, with consistently strong solar output throughout all seasons. Located in the tropical zone at coordinates 11.6833°N, 92.7167°E, this area benefits from reliable sunlight availability that characterizes tropical regions.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy production at Haddo varies moderately across seasons, with spring delivering the highest output at 6.20 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity. Winter follows closely with 5.64 kWh/day, while summer produces 5.11 kWh/day and autumn generates 4.89 kWh/day per kW installed. Spring emerges as the optimal season for solar generation, likely due to favorable atmospheric conditions and sun positioning. The relatively modest variation between seasons (ranging from 4.89 to 6.20 kWh/day) demonstrates the location's reliability for consistent solar energy production throughout the year. For maximum annual energy output, solar panels should be installed at a fixed tilt angle of 12 degrees facing south. This angle has been calculated to optimize total year-round production by accounting for the sun's varying elevation angles throughout the year and weighting them according to solar irradiance potential.

Environmental Challenges and Solutions

Several environmental factors in this tropical location could potentially impact solar panel performance:

• High humidity and moisture: The tropical climate brings elevated humidity levels that can cause corrosion of electrical components and reduce panel efficiency over time
• Heavy monsoon rainfall: Intense seasonal rains can create flooding risks and may damage inadequately protected systems
• Salt air exposure: Being located near coastal waters, salt-laden air can accelerate corrosion of metal components
• Dust and debris accumulation: Tropical storms and general environmental conditions can deposit materials on panels, reducing light transmission

Preventative Installation Measures

To maximize energy production and system longevity at this location, several protective measures should be implemented during installation: Choose marine-grade or specially coated mounting hardware and electrical components designed to resist corrosion in high-humidity, salt-air environments. Ensure all electrical connections are properly sealed with weatherproof enclosures rated for tropical conditions. Install panels with adequate drainage systems and avoid low-lying areas prone to flooding during monsoon seasons. Elevate electrical components and inverters above potential flood levels, and consider waterproof housing for critical equipment. Design the mounting system to withstand high winds associated with tropical storms, using reinforced anchoring systems appropriate for local soil and weather conditions. Regular maintenance schedules should include thorough cleaning of panels to remove accumulated dust, salt residue, and organic matter that could block sunlight. Consider installing automated cleaning systems or plan for frequent manual cleaning, particularly during and after the wet season when debris accumulation may be highest. Proper ventilation around panels will help reduce moisture buildup and improve cooling efficiency in the tropical heat.

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 Haddo

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 11.6833, Longitude: 92.7167 (Haddo, 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 12° South in Haddo, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Haddo, India (Lat/Long 11.6833, 92.7167) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 12° 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 Haddo, 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 Haddo, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 12° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
4° North in Summer	18° South in Autumn	27° South in Winter	6° 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 Haddo, 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 Haddo, 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 Haddo, India

Topographical Features of Haddo, India

Haddo is located on South Andaman Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands archipelago, positioned in the Bay of Bengal. The area sits within a tropical island environment characterized by generally flat to gently undulating terrain. The immediate vicinity around Haddo features low-lying coastal plains that gradually rise inland, with elevations typically remaining below 100 meters above sea level in the immediate coastal zones. The topography consists primarily of alluvial deposits and sedimentary formations typical of island environments. The landscape is punctuated by numerous small hills and ridges that run in a north-south orientation, following the general geological structure of the Andaman Islands. These elevated areas are interspersed with valleys and flat coastal terraces that extend inland from the shoreline. Water features play a significant role in shaping the local topography. Several small streams and seasonal watercourses drain the area, creating minor valleys and depressions in the landscape. The coastline itself is relatively sheltered, being positioned on the eastern side of South Andaman Island, which provides some protection from the more severe weather conditions that affect the western shores.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The most suitable locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations around Haddo would be the flat to gently sloping coastal terraces that extend inland from the immediate shoreline. These areas offer several advantages including relatively stable ground conditions, minimal grading requirements, and good accessibility for construction and maintenance activities. The low-lying plains to the northeast and southeast of Haddo present particularly favorable conditions for solar development. These areas feature consistent gentle slopes that would facilitate proper drainage while requiring minimal earthwork for installation. The sedimentary nature of the underlying geology in these zones typically provides adequate foundation conditions for solar mounting systems. Areas with southern and southwestern exposures on the gentle hillsides would also be well-suited for solar installations, as these orientations optimize solar collection in the northern hemisphere. The moderate slopes found on many of these hillsides would actually benefit solar panel efficiency by providing natural tilt angles while maintaining good drainage characteristics. Coastal areas with adequate setback from the immediate shoreline would be preferable to avoid potential issues with salt spray and storm surge, while still benefiting from the generally open exposure and consistent wind patterns that help maintain optimal panel temperatures. The relatively stable weather patterns and minimal extreme weather events in this sheltered location make it particularly suitable for long-term solar infrastructure investment.

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!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

Tell Us About Your Work

We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.

Feeling generous?

Share this with your friends!

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.