Solar PV Analysis of Wattala, Sri Lanka
Wattala, Western Province, Sri Lanka is a good location for year-round solar energy production. This is because it's located in the tropics where sunlight is consistent throughout most of the year. The amount of energy you can expect to generate from each kilowatt of installed solar varies slightly by season, but not by much. You can expect around 6.03 kilowatt-hours per day in summer, 5.52 in autumn, 6.20 in winter and 6.46 in spring.
The best times to generate solar at this location would be during the spring and winter when sunlight levels are highest based on these figures.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 6 degrees to the south will help maximize your total year-round production from solar power.
However, there might be some local factors that could affect your solar energy production like environmental conditions or topography features such as mountains or tall buildings that could block sunlight.
Weather conditions like heavy rain or cloud cover during wet seasons may also reduce the amount of sunlight reaching your panels which would lower their output.
To mitigate these issues and ensure greater energy production:
1) Consider installing adjustable mounts for your panels so they can be angled more directly towards the sun during different times of year.
2) Ensure your site selection is free from obstructions like tall buildings or trees.
3) Regular maintenance including cleaning off dust or debris from panels will ensure they work efficiently.
4) Install a battery storage system so you can store excess power generated on sunny days for use when it's cloudy or rainy.
5) Use high-quality equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions common in tropical climates such as heavy rain and high humidity.
In conclusion, Wattala is an ideal location for generating solar power due to its consistent sunlight levels throughout most of the year with minor adjustments needed for maximum efficiency depending on seasonal changes and possible local factors affecting exposure to sunlight.
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 Wattala
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 6.9758, Longitude: 79.885 (Wattala, 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 Wattala, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wattala, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 6.9758, 79.885) 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 Wattala, 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 Wattala, 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 Wattala, 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 Wattala, 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 Wattala, Sri Lanka
Wattala is located in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, near the western coast of the island. The topography is relatively flat and low-lying, with elevations ranging from sea level to about 15 meters above sea level. The area is characterized by urban and suburban development, with some agricultural land use.
The climate in Wattala is tropical and humid, with a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year. However, it also receives a good amount of sunshine hours which makes it suitable for solar energy generation.
For large scale solar PV installations, areas with flat terrain and minimal shading are ideal. Given Wattala's urban development, open spaces or rooftops within the city could be potential sites for smaller scale solar PV installations. For larger scale projects, nearby less developed or agricultural areas may be more suitable as they provide more space.
In addition to physical site characteristics, factors such as proximity to grid infrastructure (for grid-connected systems), local electricity prices and policies supporting renewable energy should also be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar PV projects.
Please note that a detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on any specific location for setting up a large-scale solar PV plant.
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: Tuesday 30th 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.
