Solar PV Analysis of Thrissur, India
Thrissur, Kerala, India is a location that could be considered quite suitable for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistently available for most of the year. The seasons in this region are more often characterised by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature swings.
Based on data provided, you can expect to generate an average of 4.92 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity during summer, 4.54 kWh/day in autumn, 5.81 kWh/day in winter, and as much as 6.22 kWh/day during springtime.
The best times to generate solar energy at this location would be from late winter through spring when daily output peaks at over six kilowatt-hours per day per kW installed.
To get the maximum benefit from your solar installation throughout the year, panels should ideally be tilted at an angle of ten degrees towards the south if they're fixed installations.
However, there might also be some factors related to local weather conditions or other environmental issues that could potentially hinder optimal production levels from your solar setup here.
One significant factor could be monsoon season which typically brings heavy rainfall and cloud cover that may reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thereby lowering their output capability significantly during those periods.
Another potential issue might involve dust or other airborne particles settling on your panels which can also reduce their efficiency unless regularly cleaned off.
One way around these obstacles involves installing tracking systems onto your panels so they move with the sun across its arc through the sky each day maximising exposure even under less ideal conditions like partial cloud cover or lower light levels early morning and late afternoon compared with mid-day peak sunshine hours.
Regular cleaning maintenance schedules should also help ensure any dust or debris doesn't build up too heavily on panel surfaces reducing their effectiveness over time.
It's important though before deciding whether to install a system here you consult with local experts or solar installation companies who can provide more detailed advice based on their experience and knowledge of the specific conditions and challenges you might face in this particular location.
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 Thrissur
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 10.516, Longitude: 76.2157 (Thrissur, 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 10° South in Thrissur, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thrissur, India (Lat/Long 10.516, 76.2157) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 10° 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 Thrissur, 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 Thrissur, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 10° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6° North in Summer | 16° South in Autumn | 26° South in Winter | 5° 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 Thrissur, 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 Thrissur, 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 Thrissur, India
Thrissur, India is located in the South Indian state of Kerala. The topography of Thrissur consists primarily of flat or gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from sea level to about 80 meters above sea level. It is characterized by a tropical climate and receives ample rainfall during monsoon seasons.
The region around Thrissur includes both urban areas as well as rural landscapes dominated by paddy fields, coconut palm plantations, and other types of agriculture. There are also several rivers and water bodies in the area.
Regarding solar PV potential, large-scale solar installations require vast expanses of open land that receive high levels of sunlight throughout the year. Considering this, agricultural lands could be suitable for such installations if they can be dual-purposed so as not to disrupt food production.
Additionally, rooftops in urban areas could also serve as viable locations for smaller-scale solar PV systems. This would contribute to decentralizing energy production and reducing transmission losses.
However, it's important to note that any potential site would need a detailed assessment considering factors like local climate conditions (including cloud cover), land use restrictions or regulations, proximity to grid infrastructure for power evacuation etc., before finalizing its suitability for large scale solar PV installation.
It's worth mentioning that Kerala has initiated several renewable energy projects including floating solar plants on backwaters which might be an interesting concept considering the numerous water bodies present in Thrissur district too.
Please consult with local authorities or a professional consultant who can provide detailed feasibility study based on real-time data specific to your requirements.
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 15th 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.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
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.
