Solar PV Analysis of Surendranagar, India
Surendranagar, Gujarat, India, located at 22.7212° N, 71.6292° E, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the tropics, this area benefits from consistent sunlight and experiences seasons primarily characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature fluctuations.
Seasonal Solar Performance
The solar energy potential in Surendranagar varies across seasons, with spring being the most productive period. During spring, solar panels can generate an impressive 7.40 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Summer follows with 5.45 kWh/day, while winter and autumn produce slightly less at 4.99 kWh/day and 4.92 kWh/day, respectively.
Optimal Panel Placement
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Surendranagar, Gujarat, fixed solar panels should be tilted at a 21-degree angle facing south. This optimal angle takes into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year.
Environmental Considerations
While Surendranagar's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some 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. Additionally, dust storms are not uncommon in this part of India, which can temporarily decrease panel efficiency.
Preventative Measures
To mitigate the impact of these environmental factors, several preventative measures can be implemented during solar installation:
- Use self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to combat dust accumulation.
- Install robust mounting systems capable of withstanding strong winds during storms.
By taking these precautions, solar installations in Surendranagar can maintain high efficiency and durability, making the most of the location's abundant solar resources 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 Surendranagar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 22.7212, Longitude: 71.6292 (Surendranagar, 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 Surendranagar, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Surendranagar, India (Lat/Long 22.7212, 71.6292) 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 Surendranagar, 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 Surendranagar, 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 | 29° South in Autumn | 38° South in Winter | 16° 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 Surendranagar, 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 Surendranagar, 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 Surendranagar, India
The area around Surendranagar, India, is characterized by a relatively flat terrain with some gentle undulations. This region is part of the Saurashtra peninsula in Gujarat, known for its semi-arid landscape. The topography is primarily composed of low-lying plains with occasional small hills or elevated areas.
To the north and east of Surendranagar, you'll find vast stretches of flat land that gradually merge into the Little Rann of Kutch, a seasonal salt marsh. This area is notably flat and expansive, with minimal vegetation. To the south and west, the terrain becomes slightly more varied, with some low-lying hills and shallow valleys interspersed throughout the landscape.
The region experiences a hot, semi-arid climate with limited rainfall, which has shaped its topography over time. You'll notice that the land is generally dry and sparse, with few major water bodies or rivers in the immediate vicinity. The soil in this area tends to be sandy or rocky, contributing to the overall arid appearance of the landscape.
Areas Suitable for Large-scale Solar PV
When considering locations for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Surendranagar, several factors come into play. The most suitable areas would typically have the following characteristics:
1. Flat or gently sloping terrain: The areas to the north and east of Surendranagar, extending towards the Little Rann of Kutch, would be particularly well-suited. These expansive, flat lands provide ideal conditions for installing large arrays of solar panels without the need for significant land modification.
2. Minimal shading: The open plains surrounding Surendranagar offer unobstructed exposure to sunlight throughout the day, which is crucial for maximizing solar energy production.
3. Low agricultural value: The semi-arid regions around Surendranagar, especially those with poor soil quality, would be preferable for solar installations as they wouldn't compete with valuable agricultural land.
4. Proximity to infrastructure: Areas closer to existing power transmission lines and roads would be more cost-effective for large-scale solar projects. The outskirts of Surendranagar and nearby smaller towns might offer this advantage.
5. Limited environmental impact: Regions with sparse vegetation and minimal wildlife habitats would be preferred to minimize ecological disruption.
Given these factors, the vast, flat areas extending northward and eastward from Surendranagar towards the Little Rann of Kutch would likely be the most suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. These regions combine the necessary topographical features with the climate conditions ideal for solar energy production, making them prime candidates for such developments.
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: Monday 9th 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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