When setting up a solar power plant, some of the foremost factors to consider are:
1. Calculation of Solar Capacity Required
2. Area Required
3. Cost of Solar System Installation
In this article, we discuss about the area required to install a solar PV power plant.
The area required to set up a plant is directly dependent on the capacity of the plant. For calculation of capacity required, refer to our blog (Read: How Many Solar Panels do I Need).
As a rule of the thumb, 10 square meter area is required to set up a 1 kWp solar panel plant.
Accurate area required can vary between 6 square meters to 14 square meters per kWp. The variation is explained by the following factors:
1. Geographical location
2. Shape of roof
3. Efficiency of solar panels
Solar panels receive maximum energy when they are tilted at an angle equal to the latitude of the location.
With tilt, panels cast shadows. To avoid shadows, spacing is provided between rows of panels. The spacing would be lower if latitude/tilt is lower and higher if latitude is higher. Latitudes of Important locations in India are given in below table or in the map:
| City | Latitude (degrees) |
City | Latitude (degrees) |
City | Latitude (degrees) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu | 34 | Leh | 34 | - | - |
| Delhi | 30 | Haridwar | 30 | - | - |
| Jaipur | 27 | Lucknow | 27 | Assam | 27 |
| Ahmedabad | 23 | Bhopal | 23 | Kolkata | 23 |
| Mumbai | 19 | Hyderabad | 18 | Bhubaneshwar | 20 |
| Goa | 15 | - | - | Vijayawada | 16 |
| Kochi | 10 | Coimbatore | 11 | Bangalore/Chennai | 13 |
For same capacity, you would need more space in Delhi compared to Kochi or Chennai as the latitude of Delhi is higher.
We often see flat roofs, metal roofs (Inclined) or ground areas to install solar PV power plant. If you have a roof with a tilt angle equal to latitude, then panels can be arranged continuously on the roof with just access for maintenance. In these cases, you just need 6-7 square meters per kWP.
In the case of flat roofs, panels need to be tilted and the area required is more.
To produce the same energy, one needs less area with the panels of high efficiency as compared to less efficient panels.
The efficiency of solar panels available in India and area required are indicated in the table different types in the market. (Check out our product comparison page to see which panel would be the best for you)
| S. No. | Technology | Standard Size (Wp) |
Efficiency (%) | No. of panels for 10kWp system |
Approx. area required(m2/kWp)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poly crystalline- 72cells | 330 | 17.0 | 31 | 10 |
| 2 | Mono crystalline(PERC)- 72cells | 360 | 18.5 | 28 | 9 |
| 3 | Poly crystalline(PERC)-144cells | 360 | 18.2 | 28 | 9 |
| 4 | Mono crystalline(PERC)- 144cells | 380 | 19.2 | 27 | 8.5 |
Standard poly panels require about 10% more space compared to 72 cell mono PERC or 144 cell poly PERC. Thinking of what to do if you do not have the required area for your energy needs? Read our blog What other options do I have if I don’t have the required rooftop area?
To determine the exact area required, one should get an actual survey done by an experienced installer or a leading solar consultant. To get a free survey and consultation of your property, contact Prodah Solutions.