Solar PV Analysis of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
The location at Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Western Province, Sri Lanka is fairly ideal for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) systems all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year.
In terms of energy output, you can expect around 6.03 kilowatt hours (kWh) per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar in summer, 5.52 kWh/day in autumn, 6.20 kWh/day in winter and 6.46 kWh/day in spring.
This means that while there are slight variations across different seasons, the difference isn't too significant and solar power generation should be reliable throughout the year.
However, if we were to pick out the best time to generate solar power at this location based on these numbers alone then Spring would be slightly better than other seasons due to a higher average daily output.
It's important to note that for a fixed panel installation at this location it would be ideal to tilt your panels about 6 degrees towards South as this will help maximize total production from your PV system throughout the entire year.
As far as environmental or weather factors that could potentially hinder solar production at this location go - heavy rainfall during monsoon season might reduce sunlight exposure temporarily but considering that Sri Lanka generally has a high amount of sunshine days annually such impacts should not significantly affect overall yearly performance.
To ensure greater energy production amidst these conditions one could consider installing advanced PV modules with excellent low-light performance and rain-resistant properties or use tracking systems which follow sun’s path across sky increasing exposure even on less sunny days
Lastly - regular cleaning & maintenance will also help keep panels free from dust or debris which could block sunlight reducing efficiency over time.
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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.889, Longitude: 79.9559 (Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.889, 79.9559) 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, 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 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, Sri Lanka
Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, the administrative capital of Sri Lanka, is located in the western province of the country. The topography around this region is largely flat and urbanized with some marshy lands and bodies of water like Diyawanna Lake. It experiences a tropical rainforest climate with high humidity and temperatures typically ranging from 22°C to 31°C.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, it would be important to find areas that have maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the year, minimal shading from trees or buildings, and enough space for installation. Given these criteria, less urbanized regions outside of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte might be more suitable for such projects due to less building obstruction.
One potential area could be along the coastal regions towards Negombo where there are flatter terrains with less dense vegetation or further east into rural areas where there's more open land available. However, a detailed feasibility study including factors such as local weather patterns (cloud cover), land availability/costs & accessibility would need to be carried out before deciding on an exact location.
Additionally, rooftop solar PV systems could also be considered within city limits itself given its highly urbanized nature – government buildings or commercial establishments often have large roof spaces that can accommodate solar panels. This can help contribute towards renewable energy targets without needing additional land resources.
Remember that any decision should also consider grid connectivity considerations - proximity to transmission lines or substations - as well as environmental impacts associated with construction in different types of habitats.
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 4th of May 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
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.
