Solar PV Analysis of Hanwella, Sri Lanka
Hanwella, Western Province, Sri Lanka is located in the tropics where sunlight is fairly constant throughout most of the year. This makes it a good location for generating electricity using solar panels. In terms of seasons, solar energy output varies slightly but remains relatively high all year round. The highest output can be expected in spring with 5.93 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar, followed by winter (5.60 kWh/day), summer (5.47 kWh/day), and autumn (4.94 kWh/day).
This means that you can expect to generate more electricity from your solar panels during spring and winter than other times of the year due to higher sunlight intensity or longer daylight hours.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 6 degrees South will help maximize total annual production from your solar photovoltaic system.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect your ability to generate electricity from solar power in Hanwella:
1) Weather conditions: While Hanwella has a tropical climate characterized by wet and dry seasons rather than traditional four-season climates seen elsewhere in the world, heavy rainfall during wet seasons may reduce overall sun exposure for panels which could affect energy production.
2) Environmental factors: If there are tall trees or buildings around that cast shadows on the area where you plan to install your panels, they might block sunlight and reduce power generation capacity.
To overcome these challenges:
- For weather-related issues: Make sure your installation site is free from potential flooding risks especially during rainy season.
- For shadow-related issues: Choose an installation site with minimal obstructions to ensure maximum sun exposure throughout the day.
- Regular maintenance: Keep your panels clean and free from dust or debris accumulation which can also obstruct sunlight absorption.
In conclusion - while there are some potential challenges associated with installing a PV system in Hanwella, Western Province, with proper planning and consideration of local factors, it is a generally good location for solar energy production.
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 Hanwella
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.9106, Longitude: 80.081 (Hanwella, 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 Hanwella, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Hanwella, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.9106, 80.081) 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 Hanwella, 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 Hanwella, 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 Hanwella, 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 Hanwella, 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 Hanwella, Sri Lanka
Hanwella, Sri Lanka is located in the western province of the country. The topography around Hanwella is characterized by a mix of flatlands and hilly terrain. The area has a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity and heavy rainfall throughout most of the year.
To determine suitability for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be considered including sunlight availability (solar irradiance), land use and cover, slope of the land, proximity to transmission lines or substations etc.
Given that Hanwella experiences a good amount of sunshine throughout the year despite its rainfall, it could potentially be suitable for solar power generation. However, considering it's hilly terrain and dense vegetation due to its rainforest climate; flatlands with less tree cover would be more ideal for large scale solar PV installations.
Areas nearby that may be suited could include regions towards north or east where there might be relatively flatter lands with lesser tree coverage. However, this would require further detailed site-specific analysis including ground surveys and GIS-based studies to confirm 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: Sunday 7th of July 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.
