Solar PV Analysis of Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka
The location at Kamburupitiya, Southern Province, Sri Lanka is quite good for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent for most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced per kilowatt of installed solar varies slightly with the seasons but remains relatively high all year round: 5.47kWh/day in Summer, 4.94kWh/day in Autumn, 5.60kWh/day in Winter and 5.93kWh/day in Spring.
Given these numbers, we see that winter and spring are especially productive times for solar energy generation at this location due to higher daily outputs; however, even during summer and autumn when output dips a bit lower, it remains substantial enough to make investment worthwhile.
To get the most out of your solar PV system here, you should tilt your panels at an angle of six degrees towards the South if they're fixed installations – this will maximise their exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors go that could potentially impede solar production here – there aren't any significant ones noted specifically for Kamburupitiya; however general considerations applicable anywhere would include shading from nearby buildings or trees blocking sunlight from reaching panels and dust or bird droppings accumulating on panel surfaces reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate against these potential issues:
1) Consider positioning during installation to avoid shade as much as possible.
2) Regular cleaning/maintenance can help keep panels clear from dust or debris which might reduce their efficiency.
3) Installing guards can prevent birds from nesting near your system and thereby reduce bird droppings on panels.
In summary then: Kamburupitiya's tropical climate makes it well-suited for efficient year-round power generation via Solar PV with slight variations across seasons but no major impediments to production. Proper installation and maintenance practices can further enhance system performance here.
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 Kamburupitiya
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.0867, Longitude: 80.5735 (Kamburupitiya, 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 Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.0867, 80.5735) 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 Kamburupitiya, 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 Kamburupitiya, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10° North in Summer | 12° South in Autumn | 21° South in Winter | 0° 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 Kamburupitiya, 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 Kamburupitiya, 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 Kamburupitiya, Sri Lanka
Kamburupitiya is located in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. The topography around Kamburupitiya is primarily flat with some hilly areas, especially towards the north and east of the town. It's surrounded by lush greenery, paddy fields, and tea plantations. The area experiences a tropical monsoon climate with high rainfall throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces are ideal as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight without any obstructions from hills or trees. Given this criterion, the relatively flatter regions around Kamburupitiya would be most suitable for such projects.
However, it's also important to consider factors like local weather patterns (since consistent cloud cover can limit solar power generation), proximity to power grids for easy transmission of electricity produced, and potential environmental impacts before deciding on specific locations for large-scale solar PV installations.
In terms of specific nearby areas that might be suited for such installations - based purely on topographical considerations - potential sites could include expansive flatlands near towns like Hakmana or Akuressa. However, comprehensive feasibility studies would need to be conducted to make definitive conclusions.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Thursday 27th of June 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
