Solar PV Analysis of Avissawella, Sri Lanka
Avissawella, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a pretty good location for solar energy generation throughout the year due to its tropical climate, which provides consistent sunlight most of the time. The electricity output per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies slightly with each season: it's 5.47 kWh/day in summer, 4.94 kWh/day in autumn, 5.60 kWh/day in winter and 5.93 kWh/day in spring.
To maximize your solar panel's productivity all year round at this location, you should tilt them at an angle facing 6 degrees South as this will ensure they capture the maximum amount of sunlight over the course of a day.
However, there are some local factors that might affect how much energy your panels can produce. For example, during monsoon seasons (usually from May to August and October to January), heavy rain and cloud cover could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels thus reducing their output.
Also keep in mind that dust and dirt can accumulate on your panels if they're not cleaned regularly; this could also lower their efficiency by blocking out some sunlight.
To overcome these problems:
1) Install a system to automatically clean or easily wipe down your panels periodically so dust and dirt don't build up.
2) If possible consider installing tracking mounts that move with the sun instead fixed ones; while more expensive initially they can increase production significantly especially during less sunny periods.
3) Use high quality PV modules designed for harsh weather conditions as they'll be more resilient against heavy rains or strong winds common during monsoon seasons.
4) Ensure proper installation - panels should be securely fastened so they won't get damaged by severe weather conditions like storms or high winds.
Remember though even considering these challenges Avissawella is still a good place for solar given its abundance of sunshine most days making it well suited for generating renewable energy from sun rays!
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 109 locations across Sri Lanka. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Sri Lanka by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Avissawella
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.9499, Longitude: 80.2076 (Avissawella, Sri Lanka), 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 6° South in Avissawella, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Avissawella, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.9499, 80.2076) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 6° 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 Avissawella, Sri Lanka
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 Avissawella, Sri Lanka. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 6° South tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9° North in Summer | 13° South in Autumn | 22° South in Winter | 1° 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 Avissawella, Sri Lanka
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 Avissawella, Sri Lanka.
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 Avissawella, Sri Lanka
Avissawella is located in the Sabaragamuwa Province of Sri Lanka. The region is characterized by a mix of flatlands, hilly terrains and mountainous areas. It lies at an elevation of approximately 59 meters above sea level.
The topography around Avissawella includes tea plantations, rubber estates and paddy fields. The Kelani River flows through the town adding to its lush greenery. There are also several forest reserves nearby such as the Labugama Kalatuwawa Forest Reserve and Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens which adds to its diverse landscape.
For large scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces with high sun exposure are ideal. In Avissawella's case, unused or less productive paddy fields could be potential sites for solar farms considering they receive ample sunlight throughout most parts of the year. Additionally, any underutilized land within rubber estates could also potentially host solar panels.
However, it's important to keep in mind that while these areas may be geographically suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, other factors such as local climate conditions (rainfall pattern), accessibility (proximity to roads or power grids), land ownership issues and environmental impact assessments would need to be considered before making a final decision on suitability.
Sri Lanka solar PV Stats as a country
Sri Lanka ranks 55th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 434 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year Sri Lanka is generating 20 Watts from solar PV per capita (Sri Lanka ranks 66th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Sri Lanka?
Yes, there are incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in Sri Lanka. The government of Sri Lanka has implemented a number of policies and programs to promote the use of renewable energy sources such as solar power. These include tax exemptions, subsidies, and other financial incentives for businesses that install solar systems. Additionally, the government has set up a Renewable Energy Fund which provides grants to support research and development activities related to renewable energy technologies.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Sri Lanka? 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: Tuesday 4th of June 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.
