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Solar PV Analysis of Ararat, Australia
Ararat, Victoria, Australia is a decent location for year-round solar energy generation. However, the amount of energy that can be generated varies significantly depending on the season. In simple terms, you'll get more power out of your solar panels in Summer and Spring than you will in Autumn and Winter.
In Summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power can generate 7.88 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This drops to 3.92 kWh/day in Autumn and further down to 2.50 kWh/day in Winter before bouncing back up to 5.75 kWh/day in Spring.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should be fixed at an angle facing 32 degrees North. This is because it's the best position for catching sunlight throughout different times of the year.
As for local factors that could affect solar production – Ararat has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons which affects how much sunlight reaches your panels as detailed above. Weather conditions such as cloud cover or fog could also reduce their efficiency on certain days or periods throughout the year.
The area's topography could potentially pose some challenges too; if there are hills or tall buildings blocking direct sunlight from reaching your panels then this will impact their performance.
When installing solar panels in Ararat, it would be beneficial to consider these factors and take preventative measures where possible - like choosing an installation site with minimal shading from surrounding structures or trees and ensuring that they are properly maintained to keep them free from dust or debris which might block sunlight.
Overall though, while there are some challenges associated with generating solar power in Ararat due to seasonal variations and potential local obstacles; with careful planning these can generally be mitigated making it a viable option for renewable energy production.
Note: The Southern Temperate Zone extends from -35° latitude South down to -66.5° 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 Ararat
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -37.2836413, Longitude: 142.931597 (Ararat, 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 32° North in Ararat, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Ararat, Australia (Lat/Long -37.2836413, 142.931597) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Ararat, 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 Ararat, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° North in Summer | 42° North in Autumn | 52° North in Winter | 30° 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 Ararat, 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 Ararat, 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 Ararat, Australia
Ararat, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is characterized by a mix of flatlands and hilly areas. The region is part of the Western District which comprises volcanic plains, with soil that's generally fertile.
The topography around Ararat includes the Grampians National Park to the south-west, which features rugged mountain ranges. To the north-east lies Mount Langi Ghiran State Park with its granite peaks. However, much of the surrounding area outside these parks consists of relatively flat agricultural land.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flatlands are typically preferred due to ease of installation and maintenance as well as optimal sun exposure throughout the day. As such, agricultural lands around Ararat might be suitable for this purpose provided they are not prime farming lands or environmentally sensitive zones.
However, it's crucial to note that suitability for solar farms depends on several factors beyond just topography - including local climate conditions (amount of sunlight), proximity to power transmission lines or substations for grid connection, land use regulations and community acceptance among others.
As per a report by Australian Energy Council in 2019, Victoria has significant potential for solar energy generation due to its high levels of direct sunlight particularly in its northwest regions.
In fact there exists 'Ararat Solar Farm', a 20MW operational photovoltaic power station near Ararat since 2016 indicating feasibility for such projects in this region.
Therefore while specific areas can't be pointed out without detailed surveys and studies; generally speaking open fields or pastures not too far from existing infrastructure but away from residential areas could potentially be suited 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: Saturday 17th of February 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.
