Thuraiyur, Tamil Nadu, India, situated at 11.145°N latitude and 78.5798°E longitude, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. This tropical region experiences consistent sunlight and is characterized more by wet and dry seasons than traditional four-season patterns.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Thuraiyur varies across the meteorological seasons: Spring stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 6.85 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Summer follows with 5.72 kWh/day, while winter maintains a solid performance at 5.28 kWh/day. Autumn sees a slight dip but still delivers a respectable 4.67 kWh/day. These figures indicate that Thuraiyur enjoys favorable conditions for solar energy production year-round, with spring and summer being particularly advantageous.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed solar panel installations in Thuraiyur, Tamil Nadu, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 10 degrees facing South. This angle takes into account the location's latitude and the sun's path throughout the year, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight across all seasons.

Environmental Considerations

While Thuraiyur presents generally favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: Monsoon season: The region experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoon months, typically from October to December. This can temporarily reduce solar output due to cloud cover and rainfall. To mitigate this, ensure panels are installed at the recommended angle to promote water runoff and consider using hydrophobic coatings on panels to reduce water accumulation. Dust and pollution: As with many parts of India, air pollution and dust can accumulate on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels is crucial. Installing panels at the recommended angle also helps with natural cleaning during rainfall. High temperatures: While sunlight is abundant, high temperatures can slightly reduce solar panel efficiency. Choosing heat-resistant panels and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help maintain optimal performance. By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar energy systems in Thuraiyur can achieve high levels of productivity throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar PV implementation.

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 Thuraiyur

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 11.145, Longitude: 78.5798 (Thuraiyur, 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 Thuraiyur, India

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Thuraiyur, India (Lat/Long 11.145, 78.5798) 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 Thuraiyur, 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 Thuraiyur, 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
5° 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 Thuraiyur, 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 Thuraiyur, 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 Thuraiyur, India

The landscape surrounding Thuraiyur, a town in Tamil Nadu, India, is characterized by a mix of gently rolling plains and scattered hills. This region, situated in the southern part of the Deccan Plateau, features a predominantly flat terrain with occasional elevations. The area is part of the Eastern Ghats, a discontinuous range of low mountains and hills that run parallel to India's eastern coast. In the immediate vicinity of Thuraiyur, the land is mostly level, with a gradual increase in elevation as one moves towards the west. The town itself sits at an altitude of approximately 150 meters above sea level. To the east and south, the terrain remains relatively flat, consisting of agricultural lands and small settlements. As you travel westward, the landscape becomes more varied, with the appearance of isolated hills and rocky outcrops.

Potential for Solar PV Development

The regions surrounding Thuraiyur offer promising conditions for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. The most suitable areas for such projects would be the flat, open lands to the east and south of the town. These areas benefit from several advantageous factors: Firstly, the relatively level terrain in these directions provides ample space for the installation of solar panels without the need for extensive land modification. This flat topography also minimizes shading issues, allowing for optimal sun exposure throughout the day. Secondly, the climate in this region is characterized by high levels of solar radiation and numerous sunny days throughout the year. Tamil Nadu, in general, receives abundant sunshine, making it an ideal location for harnessing solar energy. Furthermore, the agricultural lands in these areas, if not actively cultivated, could potentially be repurposed for solar farms. This dual-use approach could provide additional income for local farmers while contributing to renewable energy production. It's worth noting that while the hilly areas to the west may seem attractive due to their elevation, they are generally less suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. The uneven terrain and potential shading from hill formations could reduce the efficiency of solar panels and increase installation costs. When considering specific locations for solar PV projects, it's crucial to conduct detailed site assessments, taking into account factors such as proximity to power grid infrastructure, local land use regulations, and environmental impact. Additionally, engaging with local communities and authorities would be essential to ensure the sustainable development of any large-scale solar energy projects 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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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.