Solar PV Analysis of Kadapa, India
Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India is a great place for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate where sunlight is consistent most of the time. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels installed at this location varies with each season:
- In summer, you can expect around 5.54 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed.
- In autumn, it's slightly less at about 4.69 kWh/day per kW.
- Winter sees a slight increase again with around 5.47 kWh/day per kW.
- Spring is the best time for solar energy production in Kadapa as you can expect as much as 7.21 kWh/day per kW.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them towards South at an angle of 13 degrees will maximize their total yearly production.
However, there are some factors that might affect the efficiency of these panels:
1. Monsoon Season: Since Kadapa experiences significant rainfall during monsoon season (June - September), it could reduce sunlight exposure and therefore decrease energy output during these months.
2. Dust and Debris: Dusty conditions or debris on the panels may also impede their performance by blocking sunlight.
Preventative measures to ensure greater energy production include:
1.Regular Cleaning: Regularly cleaning your panels ensures they're free from dust and debris that could block sunlight and reduce efficiency.
2.Weather Protection: Installing weather protective measures like sturdy mounts or covers could help protect your system during heavy rainfalls in monsoon season.
Overall though, Kadapa’s tropical climate makes it an ideal location for harnessing solar power throughout most of 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 Kadapa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 14.4804, Longitude: 78.8317 (Kadapa, 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 13° South in Kadapa, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kadapa, India (Lat/Long 14.4804, 78.8317) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 13° 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 Kadapa, 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 Kadapa, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 13° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° North in Summer | 19° South in Autumn | 30° South in Winter | 8° 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 Kadapa, 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 Kadapa, 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 Kadapa, India
Kadapa, located in the southern part of India, has a varied topography with hills, plateaus and plains. The region is known for its black and red soils which are suitable for agriculture. It's also home to the Penna River which flows through the district.
The climate in Kadapa is tropical with hot summers and moderate winters. The region receives ample sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar power generation.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat terrains or plateaus would be most suitable as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and require less construction effort compared to hilly areas. In Kadapa district itself there are several locations that could potentially host large-scale solar farms such as Pulivendula area which is relatively flat.
Additionally, barren lands or non-agricultural lands can also be considered for setting up solar plants so that agricultural activities are not disturbed. Areas around Proddatur town in Kadapa district could also be suitable due to their proximity to industrial zones hence reducing transmission losses.
However, a detailed feasibility study considering various factors like land availability & cost, local climate conditions (like annual sunshine hours), grid connectivity etc., needs to be conducted before deciding on specific locations within Kadapa district for setting up large scale Solar PV 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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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 3rd 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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