Solar PV Analysis of Ragama, Sri Lanka
Ragama, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a good location for generating solar energy year-round due to its tropical climate. The sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year and the seasons are characterized more by wet and dry periods rather than drastic changes in temperature or daylight hours.
The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power varies slightly by season, but not drastically. In summer, you can expect around 6.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day; in autumn it's slightly less at 5.65 kWh/day; winter offers around 6.24 kWh/day; and spring provides approximately 6.55 kWh/day per kW of installed solar.
This means that while there are slight variations across the seasons, all months offer a reasonable level of solar production with no major dips or spikes in output - making it ideal for stable year-round generation.
As for when during the year you'll get the most energy from your panels: Summer and Spring appear to be marginally better than Autumn and Winter, but again, the differences aren't huge so any time is generally good for solar energy production here.
If installing fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 6 degrees towards South will maximize total yearly production from your photovoltaic (PV) system - this angle takes advantage of Ragama's position near the equator.
In terms of potential challenges: Since Ragama has a tropical monsoon climate, heavy rainfall during certain parts of the year could reduce sunlight exposure temporarily which might affect overall annual yield somewhat negatively. Additionally dust accumulation on panels could also impact their efficiency over time if not cleaned regularly.
To mitigate these factors: Installations can be designed with self-cleaning mechanisms or regular cleaning schedules should be maintained especially after heavy rains to remove any debris that may have collected on them ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight when it's available. Also, consider installing a system that tracks the sun's movement across the sky to capture as much sunlight as possible during cloudy or partially cloudy days.
In conclusion, Ragama, Western Province, Sri Lanka is an excellent location for solar power generation throughout the year with some precautions needed for monsoon seasons and maintenance.
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 Ragama
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.0225, Longitude: 79.9156 (Ragama, 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 Ragama, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ragama, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.0225, 79.9156) 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 Ragama, 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 Ragama, 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 Ragama, 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 Ragama, 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 Ragama, Sri Lanka
Ragama, Sri Lanka is located in the Gampaha District of the Western Province. The topography of this area is relatively flat with some undulating terrain. There are also several bodies of water around Ragama including lakes and rivers.
In terms of solar PV potential, areas with open land and high sun exposure would be ideal for large scale solar PV installations. Given that Ragama has a tropical rainforest climate with ample sunlight throughout the year, it could potentially be suitable for such installations. However, exact locations would need to be determined based on detailed site assessments considering factors like land availability, local regulations and grid connectivity among others.
Some potential areas nearby could include non-agricultural lands or industrial zones where such installations wouldn't interfere with residential areas or farming activities. Also given its proximity to Colombo (the commercial capital), there might be opportunities for urban solar projects as well.
Please note that while these suggestions provide a general idea about possible sites for large-scale solar PV installations in and around Ragama, a more detailed feasibility study involving site visits and technical analysis should ideally be undertaken before making any decisions.
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: Saturday 15th of June 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.
