Solar PV Analysis of Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Maharagama, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a good location for year-round solar energy generation because it's in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of electricity that can be produced from each kilowatt of installed solar power changes slightly with each season but remains relatively high all year round: 6.03kWh/day in Summer, 5.52kWh/day in Autumn, 6.20kWh/day in Winter and 6.46kWh/day in Spring.
The best times to generate solar at this location would generally be during Spring and Winter when the daily output per kilowatt is highest (6.46 kWh and 6.20 kWh respectively). However, even during Autumn when output is at its lowest (5.52 kWh), it still provides substantial energy.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting panels towards the South by an angle of six degrees maximises total annual production from solar PV systems.
However, there might be some local factors which could potentially affect the efficiency of solar production here; these need to be considered before installing a system:
1) Weather Conditions: Maharagama experiences both dry and wet seasons due to its tropical monsoon climate which may affect solar panel performance since heavy rainfall can reduce sunlight exposure; however, as long as there are no extended periods without sunshine this should not significantly impact overall productivity.
2) Dust & Dirt: These can accumulate on the surface of panels over time reducing their efficiency by blocking sunlight; regular cleaning will help prevent this problem and ensure optimal performance.
3) Shade: Any potential shading objects like buildings or trees should ideally not obstruct direct sunlight reaching your panels; if they do then you might need to consider their removal or choose a different installation site.
Overall though given Maharagama's consistent tropical sunshine combined with proper maintenance practices such as regular cleaning for dust/dirt accumulation along with careful consideration of panel placement to avoid shade, this location is highly conducive for solar energy production year-round.
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 Maharagama
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.8457, Longitude: 79.9187 (Maharagama, 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 Maharagama, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Maharagama, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.8457, 79.9187) 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 Maharagama, 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 Maharagama, 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 Maharagama, 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 Maharagama, 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 Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Maharagama, Sri Lanka is located in the Western Province of the country. The area features a tropical rainforest climate with significant rainfall throughout most of the year. The terrain consists mostly of flat to gently rolling plains, with some hills and low mountains further inland.
Regarding large-scale solar PV installations, it would be ideal to look for open and flat areas that receive a high amount of sunlight annually. Considering Maharagama's location, it receives ample sunlight making it suitable for solar power generation.
However, considering its dense population and built-up areas, finding large expanses of unused land within Maharagama might be challenging. Therefore, nearby rural or less dense regions may be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
Additionally, rooftops can also provide an excellent platform for installing smaller scale solar panels in urbanized areas like Maharagama itself. This could allow residents or businesses to generate their own electricity and potentially feed excess back into the grid.
As always when planning such projects environmental impact assessments should be made to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems and communities.
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: Tuesday 23rd 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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