Solar PV Analysis of Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka is a good location for year-round solar energy production due to its tropical climate, which provides consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The amount of energy you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies by season: 5.89 kWh per day in Summer, 5.09 kWh per day in Autumn, 5.71 kWh per day in Winter, and 6.23 kWh per day in Spring.
In simpler terms, this means that each kW of installed solar panels will produce these amounts of energy daily during those seasons if they're working at full capacity under ideal conditions.
The best times to generate solar power here are during Summer and Spring when the sunlight is most abundant (highest daily kilowatt-hours). However, even during Autumn and Winter, the production levels are still quite satisfactory.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 6 degrees towards the South will maximize total yearly production from your solar system.
However, there might be some local factors that could hinder optimal solar production. For instance:
1) The region experiences two monsoon seasons with heavy rainfall - one from May to August and another from October to November - which could reduce sunlight exposure.
2) Kandy is also surrounded by hills which might cause shading issues depending on where exactly you install your panels.
To counter these potential challenges:
1) Installations should be done on high ground or rooftops where possible to avoid shading.
2) Regular cleaning and maintenance should be performed especially after heavy rainfall periods to ensure maximum efficiency.
3) Using high-quality equipment with good resistance against harsh weather conditions would also help maintain performance levels over time.
In summary: Kandy offers a favorable environment for generating substantial amounts of solar power throughout the year but certain measures need to be taken into consideration due its unique local weather patterns and topography.
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 Kandy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.2924, Longitude: 80.6382 (Kandy, 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 Kandy, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kandy, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.2924, 80.6382) 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 Kandy, 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 Kandy, 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 | 23° 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 Kandy, 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 Kandy, 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 Kandy, Sri Lanka
Kandy, Sri Lanka is located in the central part of the country and is surrounded by hills and mountains. The city itself is situated in a plateau amid these hills. It features a tropical rainforest climate with significant rainfall throughout the year.
Due to its hilly terrain and high rainfall, Kandy may not be the most suitable location for large-scale solar PV installations. However, flatter areas with less tree cover and more sunlight exposure would be more conducive.
The nearby region of Dambulla (approximately 72 km north-east from Kandy) could potentially be better suited for large-scale solar PV installations as it has relatively flatter terrain compared to Kandy's hilly topography.
It's also important to note that any decision regarding solar PV installation should consider other factors such as local weather patterns, soil stability, access to transmission lines, etc., which can significantly affect the feasibility and efficiency of a solar power project.
For an accurate assessment of suitable locations for large-scale solar power projects in this area or anywhere else, it would be best to consult with experts who can conduct detailed site surveys taking into account all relevant factors.
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: Saturday 10th of February 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.
