Solar PV Analysis of Warakapola, Sri Lanka
The location at Warakapola, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka is pretty good for generating energy through solar panels all year round. This is because it's in the Tropics where sunlight is fairly consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons here are usually marked more by wet and dry periods rather than drastic changes in temperature or daylight hours.
Looking at the specific numbers, you can expect to generate around 5.89 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day from each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar during Summer, 5.09 kWh/day in Autumn, 5.71 kWh/day in Winter and 6.23 kWh/day in Spring.
In terms of when to generate solar power at this location, Spring seems to be the ideal time as it has the highest daily output rate out of all seasons. However, even Autumn which has the lowest rate still provides a decent amount of energy.
If you're setting up fixed panel installations here, tilting them at an angle that faces 6 degrees South would be ideal for maximizing your total yearly production from these solar panels.
As for environmental or weather factors that could impede solar production here; heavy rainfall during monsoon season might temporarily reduce output due to cloud cover and increased atmospheric moisture content but generally won't have a significant impact on annual yield since sunlight exposure remains high overall throughout most parts of the year.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges; regular maintenance including cleaning off any accumulated dust or debris on your panels will help keep them working efficiently especially after periods with heavy rainfall or high winds which may result in dirt build-up on panel surfaces affecting their performance negatively over time if left unattended.
Also consider installing protective measures such as lightning arresters and grounding systems particularly if your installation site is prone to thunderstorms while ensuring proper waterproofing solutions are implemented during installation process itself can go a long way towards preventing any damage caused by heavy rainfall or other extreme weather events.
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 Warakapola
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.2201, Longitude: 80.1939 (Warakapola, 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 Warakapola, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Warakapola, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.2201, 80.1939) 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 Warakapola, 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 Warakapola, 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 Warakapola, 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 Warakapola, 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 Warakapola, Sri Lanka
Warakapola, Sri Lanka is located in the Sabaragamuwa Province and it features a tropical rainforest climate. The area is largely flat with some hilly regions nearby, particularly towards the north and east of Warakapola.
The topography does not present any significant impediments to large-scale solar PV installations. However, factors such as cloud cover due to the region's tropical rainforest climate might affect solar energy generation.
When considering areas for large-scale solar PV installations, it would be beneficial to look for open spaces with minimal tree cover that receive a good amount of sunlight throughout the year. In this regard, agricultural lands or cleared lands could potentially be suitable sites if they are not needed for other purposes.
Furthermore, since Warakapola is relatively close to Colombo (about 60 km away), there may also be opportunities to connect any potential large-scale solar projects into existing power grids servicing Colombo and its surrounding areas.
However, an accurate assessment would require more detailed local studies including aspects such as land availability and ownership issues, environmental impact assessments etc., besides just topographical considerations.
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 29th 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.
