Solar PV Analysis of Kozhikode, India
Kozhikode, Kerala, India is a pretty good spot for generating solar power all year round because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is fairly constant throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can generate from each kilowatt of installed solar panels varies with the seasons: in summer and autumn, it's about 4.90kWh/day; in winter, it rises to 6.08kWh/day; and in spring, it's even higher at 6.22kWh/day.
The best times of year to generate solar energy here are during winter and spring when sunlight is most abundant per day. To get the most out of your solar installation throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle facing 11 degrees South.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels. These include weather conditions like heavy rainfall or cloudy skies which are common during monsoon season (June-September). Also dust storms or pollution could reduce sunlight reaching your panels.
To overcome these challenges and ensure greater energy production:
1) Install a tracking system on your panels so they can follow the sun across the sky - this will help maximize their exposure to sunlight especially during shorter days.
2) Regular maintenance including cleaning of panels will keep them free from dust or other debris.
3) Using high-quality durable materials for installation that can withstand heavy rains or high winds.
4) You may also want to consider installing battery storage systems so excess power generated during sunny periods can be stored and used when sunshine is less available.
So overall, Kozhikode has potential as a location for generating solar power but certain considerations need to be made due to seasonal variations and local weather conditions.
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 Kozhikode
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 11.2189, Longitude: 75.7268 (Kozhikode, 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 11° South in Kozhikode, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kozhikode, India (Lat/Long 11.2189, 75.7268) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 11° 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 Kozhikode, 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 Kozhikode, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 11° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5° 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 Kozhikode, 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 Kozhikode, 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 Kozhikode, India
Kozhikode, also known as Calicut, is located in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The city lies on the Malabar Coast, adjacent to the Arabian Sea. The topography of Kozhikode is a mix of coastal plains and hilly terrains. Towards the east, it has hills and mountain ranges that are part of the Western Ghats.
The coastal areas around Kozhikode are relatively flat with sandy beaches and could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, these regions might face challenges like land availability due to dense population and potential impacts from sea level rise or storms.
The hilly regions towards the east have more undulating terrain which may not be ideal for large scale solar PV due to shading issues and construction challenges on slopes.
One possible area for large-scale solar PV could be unused agricultural lands or industrial zones where there is ample sunlight exposure without major obstructions to sunlight. Also, rooftops in urban areas can be used for installing solar panels.
However, a detailed feasibility study considering various factors such as land availability & cost, sun exposure (solar irradiance levels), local climate conditions (like monsoon season), grid connectivity infrastructure etc., would need to be performed before deciding on specific locations suited for large scale Solar PV installations.
It's worth noting that Kerala has already identified several sites across the state under its "Solar Power Policy" aimed at promoting renewable energy generation including districts like Palakkad which has some relatively flatter terrains compared to Kozhikode.
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: Thursday 13th of June 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.
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.
