Bardia, New South Wales, Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. The seasonal variations in solar output provide insights into the potential for solar energy production at this specific site.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy generation in Bardia, with an impressive daily output of 6.47kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely behind, producing 5.75kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.42kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.28kWh/day.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most favorable times for solar energy production in Bardia are during the summer months (December to February) and spring (September to November). These seasons benefit from longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, resulting in higher energy yields.

Panel Tilt Optimization

For fixed panel installations in Bardia, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 31 degrees facing North. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and accounts for the Earth's elliptical orbit, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental Considerations

While Bardia generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust and pollen: Being in a suburban area near bushland, dust and pollen accumulation on solar panels can reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue. 2. Bushfire smoke: During bushfire season, smoke haze can temporarily reduce solar output. Installing high-quality panels with anti-soiling coatings can help maintain performance.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar energy production in Bardia, consider the following measures:

• Use high-efficiency panels with anti-reflective and self-cleaning coatings
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule, especially during pollen-heavy seasons
• Install a monitoring system to track performance and quickly identify any issues
• Consider a ground-mounted system if roof space is limited or shaded

Overall, Bardia's location provides excellent potential for solar PV energy generation, with proper installation and maintenance practices ensuring optimal performance throughout the year.

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 Bardia

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.9783, Longitude: 150.8587 (Bardia, 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 31° North in Bardia, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bardia, Australia (Lat/Long -33.9783, 150.8587) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Bardia, 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 Bardia, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° North in Summer	40° 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 Bardia, 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 Bardia, Australia.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Bardia, Australia

The topography around Bardia, Australia, which is located in the southwestern suburbs of Sydney, is characterized by gently rolling hills and low-lying plains. This area is part of the Cumberland Plain, a relatively flat region that extends across much of western Sydney. The landscape is generally mild in terms of elevation changes, with subtle undulations rather than steep hills or dramatic valleys.

To the east of Bardia, the terrain gradually slopes towards the coast, while to the west, it slowly rises towards the foothills of the Blue Mountains. The area is intersected by several creeks and small rivers, which have carved shallow valleys into the landscape over time. These waterways contribute to the subtle variations in the local topography.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, there are a few factors to consider. Ideal locations for solar farms typically have flat or gently sloping land, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from trees or buildings. With these criteria in mind, some of the more suitable areas for solar PV near Bardia might include:

1. The open farmlands to the southwest of Bardia, extending towards Camden and Narellan. These areas have relatively flat terrain and fewer built-up regions, potentially offering large, unobstructed spaces for solar panel arrays.

2. The rural areas to the west and northwest, such as Kemps Creek and Badgerys Creek. These locations have a mix of cleared land and low-density development, which could provide opportunities for large-scale solar installations.

3. Some of the less developed areas to the south, towards Menangle and Gilead, where there are expanses of open land with favorable topography for solar farms.

It's important to note that while these areas may have suitable topography, other factors such as land ownership, zoning regulations, and proximity to electrical infrastructure would also need to be considered when planning large-scale solar PV projects. Additionally, as the region around Bardia is part of the growing Sydney metropolitan area, future urban development plans could impact the availability of land for such projects.

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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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.