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Solar PV Analysis of Bathurst, Australia
Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia is a fairly good location for generating solar energy all year round, although there are some seasonal variations to consider. In simple terms, the amount of energy you can get from a solar panel depends on how much sunlight it gets.
In summer, each kilowatt of installed solar power can generate around 7.69 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day - that's quite a bit! Autumn sees a drop to about 4.79 kWh per day, and winter is the lowest at around 3.04 kWh per day due to shorter days and less intense sunlight. Spring picks back up with about 6 kWh per day.
So if you're planning on installing solar panels in Bathurst, New South Wales, they'll work best in summer and spring when the days are longer and sunnier.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round though, it's recommended to tilt them at an angle of 29 degrees facing North - this maximises their exposure to sunlight throughout the year.
As for local factors that might affect your solar production - Bathurst does have some hilly terrain which could potentially cast shadows over your panels depending on where they're installed. The weather is generally sunny but occasional cloud cover or fog could reduce output temporarily.
In order to mitigate these potential issues:
1) Install your panels in an area that gets good sun exposure throughout the day without being shaded by hills or buildings.
2) Consider using tracking systems that adjust the angle of your panels throughout the day following sun’s path for maximum exposure.
3) Regular cleaning and maintenance can help ensure optimal performance even during less-than-ideal weather conditions.
Overall though, Bathurst provides plenty of sunshine for generating decent amounts of solar power most times of 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 Bathurst
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.4111857, Longitude: 149.578693 (Bathurst, 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 Bathurst, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bathurst, Australia (Lat/Long -33.4111857, 149.578693) 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 Bathurst, 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 Bathurst, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 48° 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 Bathurst, 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 Bathurst, 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 Bathurst, Australia
Bathurst is located in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. The area is characterized by gently rolling hills, plains, and valleys. The city itself is situated on the banks of the Macquarie River.
The region has a mix of rural and urban landscapes with significant agricultural activities. There are vast open spaces with a good amount of sunlight exposure throughout the year which makes it suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
Areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations would ideally be flat or gently sloping lands that receive ample sunlight throughout the year. In Bathurst's case, rural farmlands around Bathurst or unused open spaces could be potential sites for such projects.
However, while identifying suitable areas for solar PV installations, it's also important to consider factors like proximity to transmission lines (for grid connectivity), access to roads (for installation and maintenance), environmental impacts (like biodiversity conservation), land use restrictions, and social acceptance from local communities.
Also note that although Bathurst sees significant cloud cover during certain parts of the year due to its high altitude relative to sea level (~670m), modern photovoltaic technology can still generate electricity under cloudy conditions albeit at reduced efficiency levels compared to direct sunlight conditions.
In terms of specific locations near Bathurst that might be well-suited for large-scale solar PV projects based on topography alone - regions towards Perthville in the south-east or Eglinton in north could potentially fit this criteria given their relatively flatter terrains compared to more mountainous regions westward towards Abercrombie Caves or southwards towards Kanangra-Boyd National Park.
Again please note this answer is purely based on topographical suitability & general climate conditions - actual feasibility would require detailed site-specific assessments considering multiple factors as mentioned earlier.
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.
