Solar PV Analysis of Navi Mumbai, India
Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, is a pretty good spot for generating solar power throughout the year. Because it's in the tropics, it gets consistent sunlight most of the time. The amount of electricity that can be produced from solar panels changes with the seasons, but it's always quite decent. In summer and autumn you get around 4 to 4.6 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panel installed. In winter this goes up to about 5 kilowatt-hours per day and in spring you get a whopping nearly 7 kilowatt-hours per day.
If you're installing fixed solar panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 19 degrees towards the south will give you maximum electricity production over the course of a year.
However, there are some factors related to environment, geography and weather that could affect how much energy your solar panels generate here. For instance:
1) Monsoon season: Navi Mumbai experiences heavy rainfall during monsoon season (June-September), which could reduce sunlight exposure and hence lower energy output from your panels.
2) Air pollution: Urban areas like Navi Mumbai often have higher levels of air pollution which can block sunlight from reaching your panels.
3) Building shadows: If there are tall buildings or structures nearby they might cast shadows on your panels reducing their exposure to sun light especially during morning or evening hours.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning: During monsoon season ensure regular cleaning/maintenance so that dust particles or bird droppings do not hamper panel efficiency.
2) Placement consideration: It’s important to place your system where it will get maximum sun exposure – away from potential obstructions like trees or buildings.
3) Use efficient systems: Consider using high efficiency PV modules which can perform better under diffused light conditions such as cloudy weather or polluted environments.
So overall Navi Mumbai is a pretty good spot for solar power but you'll need to take some precautions, especially during the monsoon season and considering the urban environment.
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 Navi Mumbai
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 19.0565, Longitude: 73.0656 (Navi Mumbai, 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 19° South in Navi Mumbai, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Navi Mumbai, India (Lat/Long 19.0565, 73.0656) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Navi Mumbai, 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 Navi Mumbai, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2° South in Summer | 26° South in Autumn | 34° South in Winter | 13° 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 Navi Mumbai, 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 Navi Mumbai, 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 Navi Mumbai, India
Navi Mumbai, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, is primarily a coastal city with a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The region is characterized by small hills, plateaus, plains and marshy lands along with numerous creeks and the Thane river.
The climate of Navi Mumbai is tropical with average annual temperatures ranging from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius. It receives sufficient sunlight throughout the year which makes it suitable for solar power generation.
Considering topography and sunlight exposure for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Flat Plains: The flat plains in Navi Mumbai are well-suited for setting up large-scale solar PV installations as they provide ample space for mounting solar panels.
2. Plateaus: The plateaus around Navi Mumbai also offer good locations for setting up large-scale solar PV systems because they are elevated areas that receive plenty of sunlight without obstruction from tall buildings or trees.
3. Marshy Lands: While marshy lands may not be ideally suited due to potential water logging issues, if properly managed these areas could also serve as potential sites for floating solar photovoltaic systems which have been successful in other regions of India.
4. Rooftops: In addition to these geographical features, rooftops on commercial buildings within the city could also be utilized effectively for installing smaller scale distributed PV systems.
Areas such as Uran (South), Panvel (East), Thane (North) and Airoli (West) can be considered given their proximity to Navi Mumbai and varying topographic features conducive to harnessing sunlight effectively.
However, feasibility would depend on various factors including land availability & cost, local regulations & policies related to renewable energy projects among others. Detailed site-specific studies would need to be conducted before finalizing any location.
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 10th of March 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.
