Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, India, situated at 20.2699° N, 72.9965° E, presents a favorable location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical region benefits from consistent sunlight, with seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Silvassa varies across the meteorological seasons, with spring being the most productive period. During spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 7.00 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows with 5.09 kWh/day, while winter and autumn produce 4.90 kWh/day and 4.86 kWh/day, respectively.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 19 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude, daily solar elevation angles, and Earth's elliptical orbit to ensure optimal energy capture throughout the year.

Peak Generation Period

The most favorable time for solar energy generation in Silvassa is during the spring months. This period coincides with clearer skies and longer daylight hours, allowing for maximum solar panel efficiency. However, the relatively consistent output across seasons indicates that solar energy remains a viable option year-round in this location.

Environmental Considerations

While Silvassa's tropical climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider: 1. Monsoon season: Heavy rainfall during the monsoon months (typically June to September) may reduce solar panel efficiency due to cloud cover and potential physical obstructions from rainwater. 2. Dust accumulation: The region's dry periods can lead to increased dust accumulation on solar panels, potentially reducing their effectiveness. To mitigate these issues, several preventative measures can be implemented:

Preventative Measures

1. Install panels at the optimal 19-degree tilt to facilitate natural cleaning during rainfall and minimize dust accumulation. 2. Implement a regular cleaning schedule, particularly during dry seasons, to maintain panel efficiency. 3. Use anti-reflective coatings on panels to enhance performance during overcast conditions. 4. Consider a tracking system to maximize energy capture throughout the day, especially beneficial during the highly productive spring months. By addressing these factors and implementing appropriate measures, solar energy production in Silvassa can be optimized, taking full advantage of the location's favorable climate and consistent sunlight 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 Silvassa

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 20.2699, Longitude: 72.9965 (Silvassa, 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 Silvassa, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Silvassa, India (Lat/Long 20.2699, 72.9965) 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 Silvassa, 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 Silvassa, 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
4° South in Summer	27° South in Autumn	35° South in Winter	14° 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 Silvassa, 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 Silvassa, India.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Silvassa, India

Silvassa, located in western India, is situated in a region characterized by diverse topography. The surrounding landscape is a blend of gentle hills, rolling plains, and lush forests. The area is part of the Western Ghats mountain range, which runs parallel to India's western coast, influencing the local terrain. To the east of Silvassa, the land gradually rises, forming undulating hills covered with dense vegetation. These hills are part of the Sahyadri range, a subsection of the Western Ghats. The elevation in this area typically ranges from 100 to 300 meters above sea level, creating a picturesque backdrop for the city. Westward, the terrain becomes flatter as it approaches the Arabian Sea coast, about 30 kilometers away. This coastal plain is dotted with small rivers and streams that flow from the hills towards the sea. The Daman Ganga River, which passes near Silvassa, has shaped the local landscape, creating fertile alluvial plains along its banks.

Potential for Solar PV Development

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Silvassa, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would be the relatively flat areas to the west and southwest of the city. These regions offer several advantages for solar energy development: Firstly, the flat terrain in these areas makes construction and maintenance of solar panels easier and more cost-effective. The lack of significant elevation changes reduces the need for extensive land preparation and allows for optimal panel placement. Secondly, these areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year, benefiting from India's tropical climate. The proximity to the coast ensures fewer obstructions from tall mountains or dense forests that could cast shadows on the panels. Additionally, the coastal plains have fewer competing land uses compared to the more densely forested hills to the east. This makes it easier to acquire large tracts of land necessary for utility-scale solar installations. However, it's important to note that any large-scale solar development would need to consider environmental impacts, particularly on local ecosystems and agricultural lands. Proper planning and environmental assessments would be crucial to ensure sustainable implementation of solar projects in this 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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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

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.