Solar PV Analysis of Mawanella, Sri Lanka
Mawanella, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, is a suitable location for year-round solar energy production due to its tropical climate. The sunlight remains consistent throughout most of the year and the seasons are categorized more by wet and dry periods rather than significant changes in temperature or daylight hours.
The amount of electricity that can be generated from solar panels varies slightly across different seasons. In summer, you can expect around 5.89kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels, while autumn produces slightly less at 5.09kWh/day per kW. Winter sees an increase to 5.71kWh/day per kW and spring offers the highest output at 6.23kWh/day per kW.
These figures suggest that spring would be the ideal time for generating solar power in Mawanella due to higher daily output rates from your panels; however, it's important to note that even during other seasons, the output is still substantial enough to make this a viable year-round solution.
When installing fixed panel installations in Mawanella, Sabaragamuwa Province, tilting them at an angle six degrees towards South will maximize their production throughout all four seasons.
However there might be some local factors which could potentially affect solar production such as heavy rainfall during monsoon season or dust accumulation on panels blocking sunlight penetration. To mitigate these issues:
1) Installations should be designed with adequate protection against heavy rainfalls.
2) Regular maintenance including cleaning of panels should take place especially after heavy rainfalls or dusty conditions.
3) Consideration may also need to be given towards potential damage from wildlife if this is relevant in this area - protective measures such as fencing or covers could help reduce risk here.
In conclusion, though there are minor seasonal variations and potential environmental obstacles like rainfall and dust accumulation on panels which require preventative measures like proper installation design and regular maintenance - overall Mawanella seems like a great location for producing efficient solar energy consistently throughout the entire year!
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 Mawanella
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.2516, Longitude: 80.4412 (Mawanella, 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 Mawanella, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mawanella, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.2516, 80.4412) 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 Mawanella, 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 Mawanella, 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 Mawanella, 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 Mawanella, 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 Mawanella, Sri Lanka
Mawanella, Sri Lanka is located in the Kegalle District of the Sabaragamuwa Province. The topography of this region is characterized by a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year. It features lush greenery, rivers, and mountains including Alagalla Mountain range.
The terrain around Mawanella has varying elevations ranging from relatively flat areas to hilly regions. The area also includes some agricultural lands used for growing tea, rubber, and spices which are significant in this part of Sri Lanka.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flatter areas with less vegetation cover would be most suitable as they provide more direct sunlight exposure and ease of installation. Areas away from dense forests or mountain shadows would also be preferable to avoid shade that can reduce solar panel efficiency.
Moreover, considering environmental factors it might be beneficial to look into unused or barren lands for such projects so as not to disrupt existing ecosystems or agricultural activities.
However, an actual assessment should include various other factors like local weather patterns (including cloud cover), land ownership issues and proximity to power grids for transmission purposes etc., which needs thorough on-ground surveys and studies by experts in renewable energy projects.
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 31st of May 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.
