Solar PV Analysis of Shillong, India
Shillong, Meghalaya, India, could be a good location for year-round energy generation through solar PV (photovoltaic) systems. This is based on the average daily electricity output per kilowatt of installed solar in each season: 4.06 kWh/day in summer, 4.83 kWh/day in autumn, 4.42 kWh/day in winter and 5.75 kWh/day in spring.
The ideal times to generate solar power at this location would be during spring and autumn when the amount of sunlight received is relatively high compared to other seasons. However, even during summer and winter, the production is still quite substantial.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 25 degrees towards the South can help maximize total year-round production from solar PV systems.
However there may be local factors that could hinder solar production here such as monsoon weather patterns which can lead to extended periods of cloud cover reducing sunlight intensity thus affecting power generation potential; also dense forestation or built up areas could create shade over panels if not positioned correctly.
To overcome these challenges and ensure greater energy production:
1) Solar panels should ideally be placed where they will get maximum exposure to direct sunlight throughout the day - away from shade caused by buildings or trees.
2) It might also help to consider adjustable tilt installations that allow for changes in panel angles depending on time of year.
3) Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels will keep them operating efficiently especially after heavy rainfall or dust storms common during monsoons.
4) Use high-efficiency modules designed specifically for low-light conditions can also improve overall system performance under cloudy conditions.
In summary Shillong's geographical position offers good potential for harnessing solar energy but careful consideration must be given when installing systems due its unique environmental factors such as monsoon seasons with long periods of cloud cover which may affect efficiency rates; however with correct planning these obstacles can largely be overcome.
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 Shillong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 25.5679, Longitude: 91.8787 (Shillong, 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 25° South in Shillong, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shillong, India (Lat/Long 25.5679, 91.8787) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Shillong, 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 Shillong, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° South in Summer | 32° South in Autumn | 41° South in Winter | 19° 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 Shillong, 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 Shillong, 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 Shillong, India
Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya in India, is situated on a plateau and surrounded by rolling hills. The Khasi Hills to the east and the Garo Hills to the west encircle it. It has an average elevation of about 1,496 meters (4,908 feet) above sea level.
The topography around Shillong is generally hilly with steep slopes. The region also experiences substantial rainfall throughout the year due to its location in one of the wettest parts of India. This can limit solar potential as heavy cloud cover reduces available sunlight.
However, there are still some areas that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Flat Areas: While much of Shillong's terrain is hilly or mountainous, there are flat areas where solar panels could be installed.
2. Rooftops: In urbanized areas like Shillong city itself, rooftops offer a significant opportunity for installing solar panels.
3. South-Facing Slopes: Solar panels work best when they face south (in Northern Hemisphere). Therefore any south-facing slopes might be good locations for solar panel installation.
It should also be noted that while Shillong may not have ideal conditions for large-scale ground-mounted PV farms due to its hilly topography and high rainfall levels; smaller scale rooftop systems or integrated building solutions could still provide valuable contributions towards renewable energy generation in this area.
As always though before embarking on any major project it would be wise to conduct a detailed feasibility study taking into account all local conditions and constraints including availability of sunlight throughout different seasons, local weather patterns etc., along with other factors such as cost-effectiveness and environmental impact assessment among others.
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: Thursday 16th of May 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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