Solar PV Analysis of Sehore, India
Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, India, located at 23.1967° N, 77.0819° E, presents a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this location benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than temperature extremes.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar PV installations in Sehore demonstrate robust energy production across all seasons. Spring stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive output of 7.10 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer and autumn follow closely, yielding 4.86 kWh/day and 4.98 kWh/day, respectively. Even during winter, the region maintains a solid performance of 4.72 kWh/day.
Optimal Panel Orientation
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 22-degree angle facing south. This orientation ensures optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific latitude.
Environmental Considerations
While Sehore's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:
- Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall and increased cloud cover during the monsoon months (typically June to September) may temporarily reduce solar output.
- Dust accumulation: The region's semi-arid climate can lead to dust buildup on solar panels, potentially decreasing efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate these challenges and ensure optimal energy production, consider implementing the following measures:
- Install a robust mounting system capable of withstanding strong winds during monsoon season.
- Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove dust and debris from solar panels, particularly during dry periods.
- Consider using self-cleaning or hydrophobic coatings on panels to reduce dust accumulation and improve water runoff.
- Install a monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues affecting energy production.
By addressing these factors, solar installations in Sehore can maintain high efficiency and capitalize on the location's excellent solar potential 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 Sehore
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 23.1967, Longitude: 77.0819 (Sehore, 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 22° South in Sehore, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sehore, India (Lat/Long 23.1967, 77.0819) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 22° 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 Sehore, 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 Sehore, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 22° 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 | 29° South in Autumn | 38° South in Winter | 17° 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 Sehore, 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 Sehore, 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 Sehore, India
The topography around Sehore, India, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling plains and low hills. This region is part of the Malwa Plateau, which extends across much of central India. The landscape is generally flat to slightly undulating, with occasional small hills and shallow valleys. The average elevation in the area is around 500 meters (1,640 feet) above sea level.
The terrain surrounding Sehore is primarily composed of agricultural lands, interspersed with patches of forest and scrubland. The Narmada River flows to the south of Sehore, creating a more varied topography in that direction with some steeper slopes and river valleys. To the north and east, the land is generally flatter and more open.
For large-scale solar PV installations, the areas most suited would be the flat or gently sloping agricultural lands to the north and east of Sehore. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy development:
- Abundant open space with minimal shading from natural features or structures
- Relatively flat terrain, reducing the need for extensive land preparation
- Good road access for construction and maintenance
- Proximity to existing power infrastructure for easier grid connection
The agricultural plains stretching towards nearby cities like Bhopal (to the northeast) and Dewas (to the west) would be particularly suitable for large solar farms. These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have fewer geographical obstacles that might impede solar panel installation or reduce efficiency.
However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to balance energy production goals with the preservation of agricultural land and local ecosystems. Careful site selection and environmental impact assessments would be necessary to ensure sustainable development in the region.
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: Wednesday 11th of September 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
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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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