Solar PV Analysis of Vellore, India
Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India is a very good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its position in the tropics where sunlight is pretty consistent. The amount of electricity produced by each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies with seasons: it's highest in spring at 7.03 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, followed by summer at 5.91 kWh/day, then winter at 5.31 kWh/day and lowest in autumn at 4.54 kWh/day.
The best times to generate solar power here would be during spring and summer when daily output is high due to more sunlight hours and intensity. However, even during autumn and winter, the production levels are still quite decent because of Vellore's tropical climate.
For fixed panel installations in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, tilting them towards south at an angle of 11 degrees will help maximize their overall yearly production as it aligns them better with the sun’s path across the sky.
However there could be some local factors that might affect solar production like heavy monsoon rains or dust storms which can block sunlight or damage panels respectively; frequent cloud cover can also reduce exposure to direct sunlight thus reducing efficiency.
To counter these issues:
1) Install durable panels that can withstand harsh weather conditions.
2) Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure dust or debris do not obstruct light absorption.
3) Use tracking systems that move your panels following sun’s path for maximum exposure.
4) If possible consider battery storage system so excess power generated during sunny days can be stored for use on cloudy days or nights.
In conclusion, despite certain environmental challenges Vellore has excellent potential for harnessing solar energy all year round given its geographical location within tropics where sunshine is abundant most part of 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 103 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
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Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Vellore
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 12.9202, Longitude: 79.1306 (Vellore, 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 11° South in Vellore, India
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Vellore, India (Lat/Long 12.9202, 79.1306) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 11° 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 Vellore, 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 Vellore, India. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 11° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3° North in Summer | 17° South in Autumn | 28° South in Winter | 7° 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.
Topography for solar PV around Vellore, India
Vellore is located in the southern part of India, and its topography is mainly flat with some scattered hills. The city lies in a semi-arid region and has a hot climate for most parts of the year, which makes it suitable for solar PV installations.
The surrounding areas are mostly rural with open fields and farmlands. These areas can be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations due to the availability of vast land spaces that receive ample sunlight throughout the year.
Furthermore, Vellore is situated on the banks of Palar River but this region often suffers from water scarcity due to irregular rainfall, making it less ideal for agriculture but more suited to solar energy production.
However, before setting up any large-scale installation, factors like local regulations and policies, connectivity to grid infrastructure and potential impact on local ecosystems need to be considered.
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.
