Solar PV Analysis of Panadura, Sri Lanka
The location at Panadura, Western Province, Sri Lanka, is quite favorable for generating energy through solar PV systems throughout the year. This is because it's situated in the tropics where sunlight is consistent almost all year round. The seasons in this region are typically characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature changes.
The amount of energy that can be generated from a solar PV system depends on how much sunlight it gets. In Panadura, Western Province, you can expect to generate around 6.03kWh/day per kW of installed solar during Summer, 5.52kWh/day during Autumn, 6.20kWh/day during Winter and 6.46kWh/day during Spring.
To get the most out of your solar PV system in Panadura, Western Province, you should ideally install your panels at an angle facing 6 degrees South to maximize total year-round production.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect the performance of a solar PV system in this area:
1) Weather: Even though sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year in Panadura, Western Province, heavy rainfall or cloud cover during monsoon season might reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels and thus lower their output.
2) Environment: If there are tall buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows on your panels for a part of the day they will produce less power.
3) Topography: If located on uneven terrain or an area prone to flooding it could potentially damage your installation or hinder its performance.
Preventative measures include:
1) Weather-proofing: Make sure your installation can withstand heavy rains and high winds common during monsoon season.
2) Strategic placement: Try to place panels where they won't be shaded by buildings or trees as much as possible.
3) Elevation: Consider raising installations off ground level if flooding might be an issue.
In conclusion, while there are certain challenges related to weather conditions and the local environment, with careful planning and consideration of these factors, Panadura, Western Province, Sri Lanka can be an excellent location 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 Panadura
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.7154, Longitude: 79.9019 (Panadura, 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 Panadura, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Panadura, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.7154, 79.9019) 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 Panadura, 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 Panadura, 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 Panadura, 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 Panadura, 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 Panadura, Sri Lanka
Panadura is located in the western province of Sri Lanka and it has a flat terrain with an average elevation of about 3 meters above sea level. The region is characterized by tropical monsoon climate, with high humidity and temperatures averaging around 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
For large scale solar PV installations, areas that are flat and receive a high amount of sunlight throughout the year are most suitable. Given Panadura's coastal location, it receives ample sunlight making it suitable for solar power generation. However, due to its relatively high population density and urban development, finding large open spaces might be challenging within city limits.
The nearby regions towards the interior such as Horana or Ingiriya could potentially be more suited for large-scale solar PV installations due to their less dense population and more available land space. These areas also receive good amounts of sunlight.
It's also important to consider factors like proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects when deciding on locations for large scale solar PV installations.
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: Sunday 21st of January 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.
