Solar PV Analysis of Karawanella, Sri Lanka
Karawanella, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, is a pretty good place to generate solar energy all year round due to its location in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout the year. The amount of electricity you could get from each kilowatt of solar power installed varies slightly by season but remains relatively high: it's about 5.89 units per day in summer, 5.09 units in autumn, 5.71 units in winter and 6.23 units in spring.
Spring seems to be the best time for generating solar energy at this location because during this season you can expect the highest daily output from your solar panels - over six units of electricity per kilowatt installed.
When installing your solar panels here, you should tilt them towards south at an angle of six degrees - that's how they'll catch most sunlight and give you maximum power throughout the year.
However, there might be some local factors that could potentially affect your solar production negatively. For instance, weather conditions such as heavy monsoon rains or cloud cover could reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels and thus lower their output.
To counteract these potential issues and ensure greater energy production from your panels even during less sunny periods or seasons with heavy rainfall, consider investing into advanced PV modules designed to perform well under low-light conditions and/or protective measures like sturdy mounts or covers that can protect them against severe weather impacts.
Also keep an eye on any large buildings or trees nearby that might cast shadows on your installation – if necessary adjust its position or remove obstacles blocking direct sun exposure to maximize its performance throughout all hours of daylight.
Finally remember regular maintenance – keeping panels clean from dust or bird droppings will help maintain their efficiency too!
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 Karawanella
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.0286, Longitude: 80.2564 (Karawanella, 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 Karawanella, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Karawanella, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.0286, 80.2564) 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 Karawanella, 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 Karawanella, 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 Karawanella, 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 Karawanella, 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 Karawanella, Sri Lanka
Karawanella, Sri Lanka is located in the Kegalle District of Sabaragamuwa Province. The topography in this region is characterized by a mix of flatlands and hilly areas with elevations ranging from 100 to 500 meters above sea level. The area is also home to several rivers including the Kelani River.
The climate in Karawanella is tropical monsoon, receiving significant rainfall throughout the year. Despite this, there are still plenty of sunny days which could make it suitable for solar PV installations.
For large-scale solar PV projects, flat open spaces are generally preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. In Karawanella's case, such areas might be found on cleared land or agricultural fields that aren't shaded by hills or dense vegetation.
However, a thorough feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on a specific location for such an installation. This would take into account not only topographical and climatic conditions but also factors like proximity to power grids and local demand for electricity.
In terms of nearby areas potentially suited for large-scale solar PV projects, regions towards the North-East (towards Mawanella) seem relatively flatter according to topographic maps. However, any decision should be based on detailed site analysis considering all necessary factors mentioned above.
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: Friday 19th of April 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.
