Solar PV Analysis of Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
Nugegoda, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a highly suitable location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate. This means it receives a consistent amount of sunlight most of the year and doesn't have significant seasonal changes like colder regions.
In terms of energy production, you can expect to generate around 6.03 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. In autumn, this slightly decreases to about 5.52 kWh/day but then increases again in winter and spring with an average production of 6.20 and 6.46 kWh/day respectively.
This suggests that while summer is generally a good time for solar energy generation due to longer daylight hours, winter and spring are actually the most ideal seasons at this location because they produce more energy per kW of installed solar power.
For fixed panel installations at Nugegoda, Western Province, tilting your panels at an angle of 6 degrees towards the South will maximize your total yearly production from your photovoltaic (PV) system which converts sunlight directly into electricity.
As for local factors that could affect solar production in Nugegoda; environmental or weather conditions such as heavy rainfall during monsoon season might temporarily reduce sunlight exposure on your panels thus lowering their output during those periods.
Topographical factors could also play a role if there are hills or tall buildings blocking direct sunlight onto your panels especially during sunrise or sunset when shadows are longest.
However, these potential hindrances can be mitigated by choosing an installation site that's clear from obstructions and possibly using adjustable mountings so you can change the orientation/angle of your panels throughout the day/year to follow the sun's path across the sky maximizing their exposure to direct sunlight.
Also consider regular maintenance like cleaning off any dust or debris accumulated on your panels which can block sunlight thereby reducing their efficiency; especially after heavy rainfall or storms.
So, with proper planning, installation and maintenance, Nugegoda can be an excellent location for generating solar energy 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 Nugegoda
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.8719, Longitude: 79.8939 (Nugegoda, 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 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nugegoda, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.8719, 79.8939) 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 Nugegoda, 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 Nugegoda, 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 Nugegoda, 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 Nugegoda, 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 Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
Nugegoda, Sri Lanka is located in the wet zone of Sri Lanka with a tropical rainforest climate. The area is mostly flat and urbanized with an elevation of about 27 meters above sea level. It features a mix of residential areas, commercial buildings, and some patches of green spaces.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically preferred to minimize installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Given Nugegoda's urbanized nature, it may be challenging to find large tracts of open land within the city itself for such projects.
However, nearby regions such as Homagama or Padukka which are less densely populated might have suitable land for large-scale solar PV installations. These regions have more agricultural lands which could potentially be converted into solar farms.
Roof-top solar panels can also be an option within Nugegoda itself considering its urban setting. Large commercial buildings or industrial facilities with extensive roof space could potentially accommodate sizable PV systems.
It's important to note that any potential site would need to undergo a detailed assessment including factors such as sun exposure (solar irradiation levels), accessibility, proximity to power grids for transmission and potential environmental impacts before confirming its suitability for large-scale solar PV installation.
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: Wednesday 14th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
