Solar PV Analysis of Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka
Yatiyantota, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, is a good location for generating solar energy throughout the year due to its tropical climate where sunlight is consistent most of the time. The amount of energy produced varies slightly with each season, but overall it's quite high. In summer, you can expect about 5.89 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. This number drops a bit in autumn to 5.09 kWh/day but increases again in winter and spring to 5.71 kWh/day and 6.23 kWh/day respectively.
The best times of the year for solar energy production at this location are during spring and summer when sunlight hours are longer and more intense.
If you're planning on installing fixed panel solar systems here, it's recommended to tilt your panels at an angle of 6 degrees facing southwards for maximum year-round production.
However, there are several factors that could potentially affect your solar power generation in Yatiyantota:
1) Weather: While Yatiyantota has consistent sunlight most days, it also experiences wet seasons which could limit sun exposure on some days.
2) Topography: Depending on where exactly you're planning to install your panels - if they’re placed in areas with mountainous terrain or tall buildings that cast shadows over them - this could reduce their efficiency.
3) Environmental Factors: Dust or pollution can accumulate on the surface of the panels reducing their efficiency as well.
To overcome these challenges:
1) Regular cleaning and maintenance will ensure dust or dirt does not build-up on the surface of the panels.
2) For topographical challenges, careful site selection will be crucial – choose sites that receive unobstructed sunshine most parts of the day.
3) Finally, weather-resistant materials should be used during installation to protect against heavy rainfall during wet seasons.
In summary - while Yatiyantota has great potential for solar energy production, careful planning and consideration of local conditions will ensure maximum efficiency and output from your solar power system.
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 Yatiyantota
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 7.0298, Longitude: 80.2935 (Yatiyantota, 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 Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka (Lat/Long 7.0298, 80.2935) 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 Yatiyantota, 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 Yatiyantota, 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 Yatiyantota, 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 Yatiyantota, 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 Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka
Yatiyantota, Sri Lanka is located in the Sabaragamuwa Province. The topography of this area is a mix of flatlands, hills, and mountainous regions. There are also several rivers and water bodies in this region.
The area is characterized by lush greenery and tropical forests due to high rainfall throughout the year. The elevation varies significantly across the region with some low-lying areas near rivers as well as high-altitude areas on hilltops and mountains.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are usually preferred for ease of installation and maintenance. Areas with minimal shading from trees or buildings throughout the day would also be ideal.
Given these factors, it seems that flatland areas around Yatiyantota could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations. However, a detailed site-specific assessment would need to be conducted to confirm this – considering factors like local climate conditions (especially cloud cover), land availability and use restrictions, proximity to power transmission lines etc.
Additionally, Sri Lanka has been promoting floating solar systems on reservoirs given its abundance of inland water bodies. These can also be an option if any suitable reservoirs are available nearby.
Finally, it's important to note that while Yatiyantota does receive ample sunlight being in a tropical zone which is generally favorable for solar power generation; the high rainfall might pose challenges such as reduced sunlight during rainy days or potential damage from heavy rains or storms.
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.
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.
