Solar PV Analysis of Kannur, India
Kannur, Kerala, India is a pretty good place for solar energy production year-round. Because it's in the tropics, where sunlight is plentiful and consistent throughout most of the year, it can generate quite a bit of electricity from solar power.
In simple terms, for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you install there, you could expect to generate about 4.90 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day in summer and autumn. This increases to around 6.08 kWh/day in winter and 6.22 kWh/day in spring.
These numbers suggest that while Kannur gets strong sunlight all year round, the best times for generating solar power are during the winter and spring months when output is slightly higher than during summer or autumn.
If you're setting up fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 12 degrees facing south would give you maximum total production from your solar photovoltaic system across the whole year.
However, there may be some local factors that could interfere with your ability to produce as much energy as possible from your solar installation. For example:
- Weather: While Kannur has plenty of sunshine on average over each season, individual days can still be cloudy or rainy which reduces how much sunlight reaches your panels.
- Environment: If there are trees or buildings casting shadows over where you want to put your panels they will not work as effectively.
- Dust & Debris: In some areas dust can settle on panels reducing their effectiveness; similarly bird droppings or fallen leaves might also cover them.
To deal with these potential issues:
- Keep an eye on weather forecasts so that if there's going to be several days without much sun perhaps other sources of power should be used more heavily during those times.
- Make sure wherever you install your panels isn't shaded by anything else for most parts of the day - being in direct sunlight is key for them to work well.
- Regularly clean your panels to keep them free from dust and other debris that could block out the sun.
In conclusion, Kannur, Kerala, India is a great place for solar power generation with just a few precautions needed to make sure you get the most out of your installation.
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 Kannur
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 11.8653, Longitude: 75.352 (Kannur, 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 Kannur, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kannur, India (Lat/Long 11.8653, 75.352) 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 Kannur, 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 Kannur, 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 | 17° 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 Kannur, 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 Kannur, 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 Kannur, India
Kannur, India is located in the state of Kerala on the southwestern coast of the country. The topography of this area is varied, with coastal plains that give way to rolling hills and rugged mountains as one moves inland. There are also several rivers that run through the region.
The coastal areas around Kannur are relatively flat and could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, provided there's enough sunlight exposure throughout the year. However, these areas might face challenges related to land availability due to dense population and potential impact on local ecosystems.
Inland regions with more hilly terrain might pose greater challenges for large-scale solar development due to uneven surfaces and potential shading issues. However, if appropriately designed, terraced solar farms could be a possibility in these hillier regions.
Areas with less vegetation cover would generally be more suitable for large-scale solar PV as it reduces shading effect on panels. In addition, locations closer to existing power infrastructure would be preferable for easier connection to grid.
It's important to note that while topography is an essential factor in determining suitability for solar installations, other factors like local climate (amount of sunshine), land use restrictions (like protected natural areas or agricultural lands), social acceptance by local communities etc., should also be considered before deciding on a location.
A detailed site-specific feasibility study which includes all these aspects will provide a more accurate assessment about where exactly within Kannur district would be most suited for largescale Solar PV setup.
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
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 27th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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.
