Solar PV Analysis of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
The location in Moratuwa, Western Province, Sri Lanka is very good for generating energy using solar panels all year round. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is pretty much constant throughout the year. The amount of electricity you can expect to get from each kilowatt of solar panel installed changes a little with the seasons: 6.03 units per day in summer, 5.52 units per day in autumn, 6.20 units per day in winter and 6.46 units per day in spring.
The best times to generate solar power at this location are during the spring and winter when the output is highest due to more consistent sunlight exposure.
If you're installing fixed panels here, it's ideal to tilt them at an angle of 6 degrees towards the South for maximum energy production throughout the year.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect your solar production such as weather conditions or environmental issues like dust or pollution which may block sunlight reaching your panels effectively reducing their efficiency.
To prevent these problems affecting your energy production too much, regular cleaning and maintenance of the panels should be done especially during dry seasons when dust accumulation could be higher. Also ensure they are installed at a height where they won't be easily blocked by nearby trees or buildings.
In conclusion, Moratuwa appears to be a great place for harnessing solar power but proper installation and maintenance practices should also be followed to maximize its benefits.
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 Moratuwa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.7721, Longitude: 79.8777 (Moratuwa, 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 Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Moratuwa, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.7721, 79.8777) 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 Moratuwa, 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 Moratuwa, 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 Moratuwa, 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 Moratuwa, 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 Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is located in the southwestern part of Sri Lanka, along the coast of the Indian Ocean. The topography is relatively flat due to its coastal location, with some small hills and valleys inland. It has a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity and substantial rainfall throughout the year.
The nearby areas most suited for large-scale solar PV would be those that receive ample sunlight and have relatively flat terrains for easy installation of solar panels. Given Moratuwa's coastal location, there might be potential offshore or nearshore options for solar power generation as well.
However, it's important to note that while Moratuwa does get a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, its high levels of rainfall could potentially affect the efficiency of solar panels. Therefore, any decision about installing large-scale solar PV systems should take into account not only topographical considerations but also meteorological ones such as annual sunshine hours and patterns of cloud cover.
Ultimately, more detailed site-specific studies would be needed to identify suitable locations for large-scale solar PV around Moratuwa including assessments on land availability and usage (agricultural fields vs unused lands), proximity to transmission lines or substations etc.
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: Monday 15th 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.
