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Solar PV Analysis of Alice Springs, Australia
Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia is a good spot for generating solar energy all year round due to its location in the Southern Sub Tropics. The amount of energy that can be produced from solar panels, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar, varies with each season. In summer, you can expect to generate about 8.52 kWh/day per kW of installed solar. This decreases slightly in autumn to 6.37 kWh/day and further drops to 5.35 kWh/day in winter before rising again to 7.69 kWh/day in spring.
The best time of year for generating solar at this location would be during the summer and spring months when there is more sunlight available compared with autumn and winter.
If you're installing fixed panel installations at this location, it's ideal to tilt them at an angle of 21 degrees facing north which will maximize the total amount of energy produced all year round.
There might be certain local factors that could impact the production of solar energy at Alice Springs such as dust storms which are common in arid regions like this one or heavy rainfall during certain seasons that could cover or damage the panels reducing their efficiency.
To ensure greater production from your panels despite these challenges, regular cleaning and maintenance are essential especially after dust storms or heavy rainfalls. You might also want to consider installing protective measures such as sturdy frames or covers for your panels against potential damage caused by severe weather conditions.
In summary, Alice Springs is an excellent place for producing solar energy due to its sunny climate particularly during summer and spring seasons but remember regular maintenance is key especially considering possible environmental challenges like dust storms or heavy rainfall.
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 Alice Springs
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -23.698042, Longitude: 133.8807471 (Alice Springs, 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 21° North in Alice Springs, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Alice Springs, Australia (Lat/Long -23.698042, 133.8807471) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Alice Springs, 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 Alice Springs, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8° North in Summer | 29° North in Autumn | 39° North in Winter | 17° 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 Alice Springs, 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 Alice Springs, 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 Alice Springs, Australia
Alice Springs is located in Australia's Northern Territory, in the geographical center of the country. The topography around Alice Springs is characterized by rugged desert landscapes, including the MacDonnell Ranges which run east and west of the town, and vast areas of arid scrubland.
The region experiences a hot desert climate with high solar irradiation levels, making it ideal for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. There are already several significant solar power facilities in and around Alice Springs.
Regarding specific areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations:
1. Owen Springs: Located to the west of Alice Springs, this area has vast open spaces that could be suitable for a large-scale solar farm.
2. Undoolya: To the east of Alice Springs, Undoolya also has large tracts of land that could potentially be used for solar power generation.
3. Plenty: This region to the north-east also offers potential locations for largescale Solar PV due to its abundance of flat and open space.
4. Stuart Well: Located southwards from Alice springs along Stuart Highway can also be considered due to its proximity to main road network which would facilitate easier transportation logistics during construction phase as well as future maintenance operations.
However, any plans would need to take into account environmental factors such as local flora and fauna habitats, soil erosion risks etc., plus cultural heritage considerations given that much land in Central Australia holds deep significance for Aboriginal people.
Detailed feasibility studies including technical (solar irradiation levels), economic (costs vs benefits), social (impact on local communities) aspects should be carried out before deciding on exact location(s).
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!
Citation Guide
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.
