Solar PV Analysis of Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
Kadawatha, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a great place for generating energy through solar panels year-round. This is because the area gets a lot of sunlight throughout the year due to its location in the Tropics. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar varies slightly with the seasons, but not by much.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kW of installed solar. In autumn, this decreases slightly to 5.65 kWh/day per kW, but it increases again in winter and spring to 6.24 and 6.55 kWh/day per kW respectively.
The best time of year to generate solar at this location would be during spring when sunlight is most abundant followed closely by summer then winter while autumn being least ideal comparatively but still provides substantial energy output because even during its lowest production period (autumn), it's still producing quite a bit of electricity.
If you're planning on installing fixed-panel solar at this location, tilting your panels at an angle facing 6 degrees South will give you maximum total yearly production from your system.
When considering potential factors that could affect your ability to produce solar energy in Kadawatha there are some things you need to consider:
1) Weather: Even though Kadawatha has consistent sunlight throughout most parts of the year, it does have wet and dry seasons which could potentially impact your energy production especially during wet season when there may be more cloudy days reducing direct sunlight hitting the panels.
Preventative measure: Regular maintenance and cleaning off any debris or water residue can help ensure optimal performance despite weather conditions.
2) Topography/Environmental Factors: Depending on where exactly in Kadawatha you're located there might be physical obstacles like buildings or trees that could block sunlight reaching your panels.
Preventative measure: Choosing an installation site with minimal shading and obstructions will help ensure your panels get the most sunlight possible.
3) Local regulations: There may be local laws or regulations that could affect where and how you can install solar panels.
Preventative measure: Before installing, check with local authorities to make sure you're compliant with all laws and regulations.
In conclusion, Kadawatha is a prime location for solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. Despite potential challenges such as weather conditions or physical obstructions, these can be mitigated through regular maintenance and careful planning.
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 Kadawatha
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.0233, Longitude: 79.9953 (Kadawatha, 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 Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kadawatha, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.0233, 79.9953) 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 Kadawatha, 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 Kadawatha, 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 | 12° 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 Kadawatha, 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 Kadawatha, 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 Kadawatha, Sri Lanka
Kadawatha is a suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, located in the Western Province. The region is relatively flat with slight undulations and has an average elevation of about 18 meters above sea level. It features a tropical rainforest climate with heavy rainfall throughout the year, and is surrounded by urban landscapes mixed with patches of greenery.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, factors such as sunlight intensity (solar irradiance), land availability, proximity to transmission lines or substations for grid connection, and local regulations need to be considered.
Given that Kadawatha is part of a densely populated suburban area close to the capital city Colombo, it might not be an ideal location for large-scale solar farms due to potential land constraints. However, rooftops of commercial buildings or residences could potentially be used for smaller-scale solar PV installations.
For larger scale projects nearby areas with more open space and less cloud cover would be better suited. This might include regions further inland away from the coast where there may be less cloud cover or towards north-western Sri Lanka which receives higher levels of sunlight compared to other parts in country.
However detailed feasibility study including weather data analysis (for assessing solar potential), land assessment (for determining suitable sites) and grid connection assessment (to check ease/difficulty of connecting the proposed plant to the national grid) will need to conducted before making any specific site recommendations.
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: Monday 29th of January 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.
