Solar PV Analysis of Mangalore, India
Mangalore, Karnataka, India, is a great place to generate solar energy all year round because it's located in the Tropics where there's consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity you can get from each kilowatt of installed solar varies by season but is generally high - ranging from 4.84kWh/day in summer to as much as 6.33kWh/day in spring.
The best time to generate solar energy here would be during spring when you can get up to 6.33kWh per day for every kilowatt of installed solar power. However, even during summer which has the lowest output, you still get a decent amount at 4.84 kWh/day.
If you're planning on installing fixed panel solar PVs here, tilting them at an angle of 13 degrees south will give you maximum production all year round.
As for any factors that could potentially hinder your solar production - Mangalore experiences both wet and dry seasons due to its tropical climate. During the wet season or monsoon period (which typically occurs between June and August), heavy rainfall and cloud cover could reduce your system’s output temporarily.
To counter this issue, make sure your panels are properly maintained and kept clean so they can capture as much sunlight as possible once the weather clears up again. Additionally, using high-quality panels with excellent performance under low light conditions may also help increase energy production during these periods.
In conclusion, while there might be slight seasonal variations and weather-related challenges due to monsoons; overall Mangalore presents an ideal location for generating substantial amounts of renewable energy via Solar PV systems 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 Mangalore
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 12.9187, Longitude: 74.8598 (Mangalore, 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 Mangalore, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mangalore, India (Lat/Long 12.9187, 74.8598) 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 Mangalore, 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 Mangalore, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° North in Summer | 18° South in Autumn | 28° South in Winter | 7° 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 Mangalore, 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 Mangalore, 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 Mangalore, India
Mangalore, officially known as Mangaluru, is located in the southwestern part of India in the coastal state of Karnataka. The topography around Mangalore is quite diverse. It features a mix of flatlands along the coast and hilly terrains as one moves inland towards the Western Ghats.
The city lies between the Arabian Sea to its west and the Western Ghats to its east, making it rich in natural beauty with numerous rivers flowing through it. The region has a tropical monsoon climate with heavy rainfall during monsoon season.
Considering solar PV installations, large-scale projects would ideally require areas that receive abundant sunlight throughout most parts of the year. In this regard, flat coastal areas may be more suitable because they are less likely to have obstructions like mountains or tall trees that can block sunlight.
However, due consideration must also be given to factors such as land availability and cost, proximity to transmission lines for power evacuation, environmental impacts etc., before deciding on potential sites for large-scale solar PV projects.
Moreover, advancements in technology have made it possible for solar panels to generate electricity even under cloudy conditions or on hilly terrains (though efficiency might be lower). Hence some regions near Mangalore which are not densely forested or populated could potentially host such installations too.
In addition to ground-mounted systems, rooftop solar PV systems can also be considered within urban areas of Mangalore where available roof space can be utilized efficiently without requiring additional land acquisition.
It's always recommended that detailed feasibility studies should be conducted considering all these aspects before planning any large scale renewable energy project.
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: Friday 5th 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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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.
