Solar PV Analysis of Meerut, India
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India, located in the Northern Sub Tropics at coordinates 28.9834, 77.706, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The city experiences varying levels of solar energy production across different seasons, providing a consistent source of renewable energy.
Seasonal Solar Production
Solar energy output in Meerut fluctuates with the changing seasons. Spring proves to be the most productive season, with an impressive 6.70 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity. Summer follows closely, generating 5.67 kWh/day. Autumn sees a slight decrease in production at 4.55 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.66 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 26-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the city's specific latitude.
Environmental Factors and Mitigation
While Meerut's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The city experiences high levels of air pollution, which can potentially reduce solar panel efficiency by blocking sunlight. To mitigate this issue, regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels is crucial. Installing panels at a slightly steeper angle than the optimal 26 degrees can also help, as it allows rain to wash away some of the accumulated pollutants.
Additionally, Meerut's climate includes a monsoon season, typically from July to September. Heavy rains during this period may temporarily reduce solar output. To address this, ensure proper waterproofing of all solar equipment and consider installing a robust drainage system to prevent water accumulation on the panels.
Conclusion
Despite these challenges, Meerut's location remains highly suitable for solar PV energy generation. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, the city can harness significant solar energy throughout the year, particularly during the spring and summer months.
Note: The Northern Sub Tropics extend from 23.5° latitude North up to 35° latitude.
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 Meerut
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 28.9834, Longitude: 77.706 (Meerut, 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 26° South in Meerut, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Meerut, India (Lat/Long 28.9834, 77.706) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Meerut, 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 Meerut, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° South in Summer | 35° South in Autumn | 44° South in Winter | 22° 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 Meerut, 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 Meerut, 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 Meerut, India
The topography around Meerut, India is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. This region is known for its fertile alluvial soil deposited by the Ganges and Yamuna rivers over millennia. The landscape is predominantly level, with only slight variations in elevation across the area.
Meerut itself sits at an elevation of approximately 230 meters (755 feet) above sea level. The surrounding area is mostly agricultural land, interspersed with urban and suburban developments. There are no significant hills or mountains in the immediate vicinity, which contributes to the generally flat nature of the terrain.
To the east of Meerut, the land gradually slopes towards the Ganges River, while to the west, it remains largely flat as it extends towards Delhi. The region experiences a gradual, almost imperceptible decline in elevation as one moves eastward towards the Ganges.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the flat terrain of the region offers several advantages. The areas to the north and west of Meerut, where there is less urban development and more open agricultural land, could be particularly suitable. These areas benefit from:
- Abundant open space with minimal shading from natural features or buildings
- Good solar irradiance due to the region's subtropical latitude
- Relatively easy access for construction and maintenance due to the flat terrain
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure, given the area's development
However, it's important to note that the use of agricultural land for solar installations would need to be carefully considered, balancing energy needs with food production. Additionally, areas closer to the Ganges River to the east might be less suitable due to potential flooding risks and higher humidity levels, which could affect solar panel efficiency.
Any large-scale solar PV project in this region would need to take into account local land use regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the needs of the local communities. The generally flat topography, however, makes much of the area around Meerut potentially suitable for solar energy development from a geographical perspective.
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: Sunday 28th 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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