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Solar PV Analysis of Baxter, Australia
Baxter, Victoria, Australia is a fairly good location for generating energy with solar panels year-round. However, there are differences in the amount of energy that can be produced depending on the season. In summer, you can expect to generate about 7.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. This decreases to 3.76 kWh/day in autumn and even further to 2.49 kWh/day in winter but increases again to 5.84 kWh/day in spring.
In simpler terms, your solar panels will produce more electricity during the sunnier months of summer and spring than during autumn and winter when days are shorter and less sunny.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year at this location, you should tilt them at an angle of 33 degrees facing north.
As for local factors that could affect your solar panel's productivity - Baxter is relatively flat with little topography or tall buildings that might block sunlight from reaching your panels so it's quite ideal in this regard.
However, Victoria does experience some cloudy weather which could reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels especially during winter months when cloud cover tends to be higher than other times of year.
Additionally, environmental factors such as dust or bird droppings can accumulate on your panels over time reducing their efficiency by blocking sunlight from reaching them properly. To prevent this from becoming a significant issue it would be advisable to clean off any accumulation regularly - perhaps once every few months or so depending on how quickly things build up on them.
So overall Baxter is a good place for setting up solar power but there are some seasonal variations and minor environmental issues you'll need to consider for optimal performance.
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 Baxter
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.19519, Longitude: 145.1567199 (Baxter, 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 33° North in Baxter, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Baxter, Australia (Lat/Long -38.19519, 145.1567199) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, 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 Baxter, Australia
Baxter, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is characterized by a fairly flat to gently undulating topography. The region is part of the Mornington Peninsula and includes both rural and semi-rural landscapes. The area around Baxter consists mainly of open fields, farmland, woodland, and residential areas.
For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, flat or gently sloping areas are ideal as they require less site preparation work. Therefore, the open fields and farmlands around Baxter could be suitable for this purpose. These areas typically have good sun exposure which is crucial for maximizing solar energy production.
However, it's important to note that suitability also depends on other factors such as local regulations regarding land use for renewable energy projects, proximity to power grids for easy transmission of generated electricity, environmental impacts (such as effects on local flora and fauna), soil stability to support heavy equipment etc.
A detailed feasibility study considering all these aspects would be required before identifying specific sites most suited for large-scale solar PV installations in or around Baxter.
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.
