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Solar PV Analysis of Barmera, Australia
Barmera, South Australia, is a pretty good spot for solar panel installation and energy generation year-round. However, it's not perfect all year round due to changes in seasons.
In simple terms, the amount of energy your solar panels can generate depends on how much sun they get. In Barmera, during the summer months, you can expect your solar panels to produce about 8.75 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power per day for every kilowatt (kW) of panels you have installed. That's quite a lot!
But as we move into autumn and winter, the days get shorter and there's less sunlight available so your panels won't produce as much power - about 4.87 kWh/day in autumn and even less at 3.22 kWh/day in winter.
When spring rolls around again with longer daylight hours, the output increases back up to around 6.53 kWh/day.
So if you're planning on installing solar panels here, summer and spring are going to be your best times for generating a lot of power.
To maximize this production throughout the year though it would be ideal if you could tilt your solar panels at an angle of 29 degrees towards North - this will give them the best exposure to sunlight over the course of each day.
As far as local factors that might impede solar production go - Barmera is relatively flat with little topography that would block sunlight which is great! Weather-wise though there could be issues; dust storms or prolonged periods without rain could lead to dust build-up on the panels which reduces their efficiency; regular cleaning should help mitigate this issue.
Finally remember that while these figures provide an estimate of what can be expected from a fixed panel installation at this location; actual results will vary depending on specific site characteristics such as shading from nearby buildings or trees etc., so always consider these factors when planning where exactly to install your panels.
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 Barmera
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.2522704, Longitude: 140.4650248 (Barmera, 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 29° North in Barmera, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Barmera, Australia (Lat/Long -34.2522704, 140.4650248) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Barmera, 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 Barmera, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° 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 | 39° North in Autumn | 49° North in Winter | 27° 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 Barmera, 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 Barmera, 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 Barmera, Australia
Barmera, Australia is located in the Riverland region of South Australia. The topography of this area is relatively flat with some low-lying hills, making it an ideal location for solar PV installations. The region has a semi-arid climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
Areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV include vast expanses of flat land which are not being used for agriculture or other purposes. This could include areas such as Monash and Glossop to the east, Loveday to the north, and Cobdogla to the west.
These locations offer ample space for large-scale installations without significant geographical constraints like steep slopes or uneven terrain. Moreover, their close proximity to Barmera would allow for easy transmission and integration into existing power grids.
Keep in mind that while topography and sun exposure are important factors in choosing a site for solar power generation, there are other considerations as well such as local regulations, environmental impact assessments and connection infrastructure that need to be taken into account before deciding on a specific location.
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.
