Solar PV Analysis of Pugoda, Sri Lanka
Pugoda, Western Province, Sri Lanka, is a great location for generating solar energy all year round due to its tropical climate. The amount of sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year because it's located in the tropics. This consistency allows for steady production of solar energy.
The average power that can be generated from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels varies slightly by season: during summer, you can expect about 5.47 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day; in autumn, around 4.94 kWh/day; in winter, approximately 5.60 kWh/day; and in spring about 5.93 kWh/day.
These numbers suggest that spring is the best time to generate solar power at this location due to the slightly higher average daily output compared to other seasons. However, even during autumn which has the lowest average daily output, you would still have nearly as much energy as other times of the year.
It's also worth noting that if you're installing fixed panel solar systems here, tilting them at an angle of six degrees towards South would maximize their yearly total production because this position captures more sunlight over the course of a year.
However, there could be local factors such as environmental conditions or weather patterns that could affect your ability to generate electricity from sunlight here.
For example:
1) Monsoon seasons bring heavy rainfall and cloud cover which might reduce your system’s efficiency.
2) Dust or dirt on panels reduces their ability to absorb sunlight efficiently.
3) Shading from nearby trees or buildings could also affect performance.
4) Topography - if your site is hilly or uneven it might limit where you can install panels and how much sun they receive
To mitigate these issues:
1) Regular cleaning especially after monsoon periods will help maintain panel efficiency.
2) Trimming any shading vegetation and choosing installation sites carefully will ensure maximum exposure to sunlight
3) If your site is hilly, you might need to be more creative with panel placement or use mounts that can be adjusted to get the best angle towards the sun.
Overall, Pugoda, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a great location for solar energy production due to its tropical climate and consistent sunlight. By considering local factors and taking appropriate preventative measures, you can ensure optimal performance of your solar panels 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 Pugoda
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.9895, Longitude: 80.1207 (Pugoda, 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 Pugoda, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Pugoda, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.9895, 80.1207) 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 Pugoda, 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 Pugoda, 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 | 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 Pugoda, 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 Pugoda, 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 Pugoda, Sri Lanka
Pugoda is located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka. The topography around Pugoda is relatively flat with low-lying plains, making it potentially suitable for solar PV installations. The region experiences a tropical rainforest climate with high temperatures and significant rainfall throughout the year.
The surrounding region includes agricultural land, which could be suitable for solar PV if not required for farming. There are also several industrial areas nearby that could potentially accommodate large-scale solar installations.
However, it's important to note that while flat terrain is generally good for solar installations, other factors such as local climate (amount of sunlight), land use restrictions, proximity to electrical grids or substations and environmental considerations will also play a crucial role in determining the suitability of an area for large-scale solar PV.
For more precise information about potential sites and their suitability for large-scale solar PV systems in this area, a detailed site analysis would need to be carried out by experts in renewable energy installation. This would include assessment not only of topographical features but also soil conditions, weather patterns (including cloud cover and rainfall), legal regulations related to land use and power generation 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: Wednesday 31st 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.
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Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
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