Solar PV Analysis of Raigarh, India
Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, India, located at latitude 21.896 and longitude 83.4001, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical location benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature variations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy output in Raigarh demonstrates remarkable consistency across seasons, with a notable peak during spring. Here's a breakdown of the expected daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar capacity:
- Summer: 4.66 kWh/day
- Autumn: 4.75 kWh/day
- Winter: 4.69 kWh/day
- Spring: 6.44 kWh/day
Spring emerges as the most productive season, with an impressive 6.44 kWh/day output. This surge in energy production can be attributed to clearer skies and optimal sun angles during this time of year. The other seasons maintain a relatively stable output, hovering around 4.7 kWh/day, which is still quite favorable for consistent energy generation.
Optimal Panel Tilt
For fixed solar panel installations in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round production is 21 degrees facing South. This angle has been carefully calculated to capture the most sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Raigarh's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider. The region experiences a monsoon season, typically from June to September, which can lead to increased cloud cover and potentially reduced solar output. To mitigate this, installing high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensuring proper drainage systems are in place can help maintain efficiency during rainy periods.
Additionally, dust accumulation on panels can be a concern, particularly during the dry season. Implementing regular cleaning routines or installing self-cleaning systems can help maintain optimal performance. Lastly, the region may occasionally experience high temperatures, which can slightly reduce panel efficiency. Choosing panels with good heat tolerance and ensuring adequate ventilation during installation can help address this issue.
Overall, Raigarh presents a highly favorable location for solar PV installations, with consistent year-round production and a particularly productive spring season. With proper planning and maintenance, the environmental challenges can be effectively managed, making it an excellent choice for solar energy projects.
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 Raigarh
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 21.896, Longitude: 83.4001 (Raigarh, 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 21° South in Raigarh, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Raigarh, India (Lat/Long 21.896, 83.4001) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Raigarh, 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 Raigarh, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6° South in Summer | 28° South in Autumn | 37° South in Winter | 15° 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 Raigarh, 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 Raigarh, 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 Raigarh, India
The topography around Raigarh, India, is characterized by a mix of diverse landscapes. This region, located in the eastern part of Chhattisgarh state, features a combination of rolling hills, flat plains, and river valleys. The area is part of the larger Chhattisgarh plain, which is surrounded by low-lying hills and plateaus.
To the north and east of Raigarh, you'll find gently undulating terrain with scattered hills and small elevations. These areas gradually transition into the more rugged landscape of the neighboring state of Jharkhand. To the south and west, the land becomes flatter, forming part of the fertile Mahanadi River basin.
The region experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. This climate, combined with the varied topography, has resulted in a mix of deciduous forests, agricultural lands, and some barren patches.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would typically be:
1. Flat or gently sloping areas: These are abundant in the plains to the south and west of Raigarh. Such terrain makes it easier and more cost-effective to install and maintain large solar arrays.
2. Areas with minimal tree cover: While much of the region has been cleared for agriculture, some locations still retain forest cover. The clearer areas, particularly in the agricultural belts, would be more suitable for solar installations.
3. Regions with good road access: The areas closer to major roads and highways would be preferable, as they allow for easier transportation of equipment and maintenance access.
4. Locations away from flood-prone zones: While the Mahanadi River and its tributaries provide water resources, areas immediately adjacent to these water bodies might be at risk of flooding. Higher ground away from these flood plains would be more suitable.
5. Regions with existing power infrastructure: Areas closer to existing electrical substations or power lines would be advantageous for connecting the solar installations to the grid.
Given these considerations, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV installations would likely be found in the flatter, agricultural regions to the south and southwest of Raigarh. These areas generally offer the right combination of topography, land use, and infrastructure to support such projects.
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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Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 22nd of August 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
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