The Sri Lankan government set a goal of achieving 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The Ministry of Power and Energy, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), and electricity sector service providers take measures to achieve these targets. Contact online >>
The Sri Lankan government set a goal of achieving 70% renewable energy generation by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The Ministry of Power and Energy, Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), and electricity sector service providers take measures to achieve these targets.
In order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7, which focuses on affordable and clean energy, Sri Lanka is implementing its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As part of its NDC plan, Sri Lanka aims to develop an additional capacity of 3,867MW of renewable energy by 2030. Given its abundant renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, Sri Lanka has the potential to meet this target. As the country is rich in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass, the approved LTGEP base case plan outlines a target of 4,705MW of solar power, 1825MW of wind power, 195MW of mini-hydro, and 200MW of biomass power.
The renewable energy plants that have obtained a generation license from PUCSL have been added to the following MAP. The Renewable Plant Map of Sri Lanka enables the public to easily locate these plants and understand the resources being utilized based on the available potential.
Sri Lanka is located close to the equator and receives abundant sunlight throughout the year, making it an ideal location for solar energy generation. According to a 2017 study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Sri Lanka has a high potential for solar power with an average solar insolation of 4-6 kWh/m2 per day.
Solar energy is harnessed by converting sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells are made of semiconducting materials like silicon that absorb photons from sunlight and release electrons, generating an electric current. This current is directed into an inverter which converts the DC output into AC electricity that can be used for power needs.
Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, southeast of the Indian subcontinent. It lies between 5°55′ and 9°51′ N latitude and between 79°41′ and 81°53′ E longitude, just north of the equator. This tropical location provides high solar irradiation throughout the year.
Monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon panels are well-suited for Sri Lanka''s climate. Monocrystalline panels made from a single silicon crystal tend to be slightly more efficient in high temperatures. Polycrystalline panels with silicon fragments are cheaper but marginally less efficient. Thin-film panels can work but have shorter lifespans in hot, humid climates. Proper solar panel selection, cooling, and cleaning help optimize energy yield.
Solar power is an emerging energy source in Sri Lanka. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the installed solar capacity was around 164 MW as of 2018, contributing 0.4% of total electricity generation. However, solar adoption is rapidly increasing driven by favorable policies.
As per the Sustainable Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, the installed solar PV capacity increased over 10 times from 12 MW in 2015 to around 164 MW by 2018. Grid-connected rooftop solar accounted for 147 MW while large-scale solar farms contributed 17 MW. The government aims to achieve 1,000 MW of solar capacity by 2030.
The government has introduced several policies to accelerate solar deployment including net metering, net accounting, and standardized power purchase agreements. Import duty concessions, loans, and tax holidays have improved the economics of solar projects. The CEB launched a small power producer program welcoming private investment in solar farms.
Sri Lanka has abundant solar energy potential, with average solar insolation of 4-6 kWh/m2/day. Adopting solar energy brings several key advantages for the country:
Solar PV systems generate electricity without any air or water pollution during operation. According to a 2020 study by Rodrigo et al., solar energy in Sri Lanka can potentially avoid over 6.5 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2030. This helps mitigate climate change and other environmental concerns.
Solar PV emits no greenhouse gases when producing electricity. The ADB estimates that 1 MW of solar power in Sri Lanka can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 972 tons per year compared to fossil fuel plants. Wider solar adoption can significantly lower the country''s carbon footprint and help meet emissions reduction targets.
Solar energy has the potential to create jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance according to a Greenpeace study. It can also lower electricity costs with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimating 50-75% reduction in utility bills. Cheaper power and energy access can boost economic activities across sectors.
The upfront costs of solar systems remain high for many households and businesses. According to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), solar power is 2-4 times more expensive than coal-fired power in Sri Lanka. Lowering costs through localized manufacturing and financing options can improve adoption.
Limited consumer knowledge regarding solar technologies, policies, costs and benefits has constrained growth per a 2020 study by Ranasinghe et al. Raising awareness through education programs and demonstration projects can help drive demand.
Integrating a high share of variable solar power into the grid poses technical challenges related to grid stability and management. Upgrades like smart inverters, battery storage and transmission infrastructure are needed to balance supply and demand.
Solar power is poised for strong growth in Sri Lanka driven by policy support, improving economics and environmental benefits.
The CEB plans for solar to reach 1,000 MW by 2020 and 20% of the generation mix by 2030. Rooftop solar adoption is expected to expand significantly. Emerging solar applications like floating PV, solar pumps and vehicle charging provide new opportunities.
nvestments in grid infrastructure modernization, forecasting tools, energy storage and microgrid systems can facilitate solar integration. Policies like time-of-day pricing and EV charging incentives can shift demand to match solar output. Regional grid interconnection also helps balance variable supply.
Sri Lanka has abundant solar resources to meet a major share of its electricity from a clean, sustainable domestic source. Addressing current challenges can help unlock the full potential of solar power for the nation''s economic and environmental future.
Image:The solar panel system installed on the roof of the Colombo factory of tyre manufacturer Global Rubber Industries.
Sri Lankan industries are at a crossroads. The country''s reliance on imported fossil fuels has seen operating costs skyrocket as the global energy crisis bites.
And with the island country one of the most vulnerable to climate change, the need to move to renewable energy has never been greater. With sunshine abundant in Sri Lanka, solar provides one of the biggest rays of hope for this green transition.
Through its Nationally Determined Contributions, the Sri Lankan government has pledged that 70% of its energy will come from renewable sources by 2030. The country already has a well-established solar sector. This commitment has helped to invigorate it further, and an increasing number of Sri Lankan businesses are now reaping the cost and environmental benefits of sunshine-powered energy.
But more is needed to scale-up solar – and one of the best ways to do this is to have more supportive financing, policy and regulations in place.
To help make this happen, UNIDO brought together 35 representatives from commercial banks and financial institutions, power and energy regulators, and policymakers from key government ministries for a two-day training workshop. The aim was to equip these industries to use solar and for solar businesses to thrive.
"The idea is to bring Sri Lanka to the next level on solar," says Channa Silva, a solar PV expert who co-facilitated the course. "Globally, solar projects are happening on a very large scale, but in Sri Lanka the scale is smaller. To meet its net zero targets, the government is aiming for a much larger stake from renewable energies in the energy mix, and we need to be scaling up things like solar. This training was about what actions regulatory and financial institutions can take to improve their systems, policies and regulations to make it happen."
The first edition of the workshop took place in Colombo in June. The course covered both solar PV energy and solar thermal energy, and was a mix of classroom-based learning and field trips to see these technologies being used by Sri Lankan businesses. Participants gained insight on the Sri Lankan energy electricity market and the global market, how both types of solar technology work, the country''s current regulatory environment and its bottlenecks, and the key financial aspects that need to be considered when investing in solar.
"Most of the financial institutions are using traditional investment pathways. This course looks at the different things they can do to enhance industrial capacities [for solar]," explains Channa. "Issues like what are the calculated risks they can take, what they should set as payback time. Financial institutions want to have proper knowledge so when they are referring to feasibility studies and issuing loans they are making the right decisions.
"With policymakers and regulators, we were looking at what we can change in our regulatory framework. For example, when it comes to approvals or permits, what are the flexibilities they can give to expedite this type of work? The course covered all the things that will help to expand the solar market to a different level of capacity."
About Sri lanka solar energy policy
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Sri lanka solar energy policy have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Sri lanka solar energy policy for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Sri lanka solar energy policy featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
