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Solar PV Analysis of Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia is a decent location for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of solar energy you can generate varies depending on the season. In summer, you can expect to produce the most energy at about 8.83 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to around 4.80 kWh/day in autumn, and further drops to around 3.35 kWh/day in winter which is the least productive season for solar generation due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. However, production picks up again in spring with an average of about 6.58 kWh/day.
So if you're considering when it's best to generate solar power at this location, summer would be ideal followed by spring while winter would be least desirable.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year in Adelaide, South Australia, it is recommended that they are tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing North - this gives them maximum exposure to sunlight over the course of a year.
As far as potential issues that could affect your ability to generate solar power here - there aren't any significant environmental or topographical factors that should cause concern since Adelaide has mostly flat terrain and clear skies throughout much of the year.
However, weather conditions like cloudy or rainy days may reduce your system's output temporarily but this shouldn't significantly impact overall yearly production if adequate measures are taken such as installing a battery storage system which stores excess power produced during sunny periods for use during less sunny times.
Also keep in mind other local factors like shading from nearby buildings or trees which could block sunlight from reaching your panels - before installing a system make sure it's placed where it will receive maximum sunlight exposure without obstructions throughout different times of day and seasons.
Overall though, Adelaide provides good conditions for generating renewable energy through PV systems with its abundant sunshine especially during summer months.
Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° latitude.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 501 locations across Australia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Australia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Adelaide
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.9284989, Longitude: 138.6007456 (Adelaide, Australia), 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 30° North in Adelaide, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Adelaide, Australia (Lat/Long -34.9284989, 138.6007456) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° North 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 Adelaide, Australia
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 Adelaide, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 49° North in Winter | 28° North 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 Adelaide, Australia
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 Adelaide, Australia.
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 Adelaide, Australia
Adelaide, Australia is located on the Adelaide Plains between the Gulf St Vincent to the west and Mount Lofty Ranges to the east. The terrain is relatively flat near the coastline, becoming more hilly and rugged towards the ranges.
The areas most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would be those with high levels of sunlight and flat terrain for easy installation. This makes areas around Adelaide Plains ideal due to their relative flatness compared to hilly regions in Mount Lofty Ranges.
Furthermore, northern regions outside of Adelaide such as Port Augusta have already seen successful implementation of large-scale solar farms due to their abundant sunlight and availability of space.
However, it's important that any proposed site considers other factors beyond just topography such as proximity to transmission lines, environmental impact assessments etc before deciding on a location for large scale solar PV installations.
Australia solar PV Stats as a country
Australia ranks 7th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 19,076 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 10.70% of Australia's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 2nd in the world). Each year Australia is generating 742 Watts from solar PV per capita (Australia ranks 2nd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Australia?
Yes, there are a variety of incentives available in Australia to businesses wanting to install solar energy. These include:
1. Renewable Energy Target (RET): The RET provides businesses with financial assistance for installing and operating renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Businesses may be eligible to receive certificates that can be sold or traded on the open market for additional income.
2. Feed-in Tariffs: Some states offer feed-in tariffs which pay businesses for generating and exporting excess electricity from their solar panel system back into the grid during peak demand periods.
3. Solar Credits: The Solar Credits program provides households and small business owners with an upfront discount when purchasing a new solar system, based on the amount of renewable energy generated by the system over its lifetime.
4. Tax Breaks: Small business owners may be able to claim tax deductions on certain expenses associated with installing a solar power system, including installation costs, maintenance expenses and interest payments related to financing arrangements taken out specifically for this purpose.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Australia? 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: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
