The location at Bellerive, Tasmania, Australia is moderately suitable for year-round energy generation through solar PV. The amount of electricity you can expect to generate from each kilowatt of installed solar varies throughout the year. In the summer, it's quite high at about 7.26 kWh per day. It drops in autumn to around 3.50 kWh per day and even further in winter to approximately 1.97 kWh per day. However, it increases again in spring to about 5.28 kWh/day.
This means that the best time of year for generating solar energy at this location would be during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant, followed by spring and autumn respectively while winter will produce least due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angle.
If you're installing a fixed panel system here, tilting your panels at an angle of 37 degrees towards north will help maximize your total production across all seasons as it aligns with sun's path across sky over course of a year.
As far as environmental or weather factors are concerned that could hinder solar production; Tasmania is known for its cloudy weather which might reduce direct sunlight reaching panels especially during colder months like winter/autumn thus affecting efficiency negatively.
To overcome such issues:
- You may want to consider using more advanced types of solar panels designed specifically for low light conditions.
- Regular cleaning/maintenance ensures dirt or debris doesn't block sunlight.
- If possible consider adjustable tilt system so you can alter panel angles seasonally maximizing exposure.
Remember though every situation is unique so always consult with professional installers who understand local climate patterns before making final decisions on type or positioning of your solar setup!
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 Bellerive
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -42.8758, Longitude: 147.3808 (Bellerive, 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 37° North in Bellerive, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bellerive, Australia (Lat/Long -42.8758, 147.3808) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Bellerive, 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 Bellerive, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° North in Summer | 47° North in Autumn | 58° North in Winter | 35° 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 Bellerive, 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 Bellerive, 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 Bellerive, Australia
Bellerive is a suburb of Hobart, the capital city of Tasmania, Australia. It's located on the eastern shore of the Derwent River and is characterized by relatively flat land along the coast with gentle to moderate slopes inland. The area has some residential and commercial development but also contains open spaces.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas that are most suitable include those with high levels of sunlight exposure (insolation), flat or gently sloping terrain for easy installation, proximity to power grids for easy connection, and minimal environmental or cultural constraints.
In general terms:
1) Open spaces: These could be undeveloped lands or agricultural fields which offer larger contiguous areas needed for a large-scale solar farm.
2) Areas with higher elevation: While Bellerive itself is relatively low-lying, areas at higher elevations nearby may receive more sunlight due to less atmospheric scattering and absorption. However, this should be balanced against potential challenges in construction on steeper slopes.
3) Proximity to infrastructure: Areas near existing power lines would be advantageous as they can facilitate easier connection to the grid. Similarly access roads would ease transport of materials during construction phase.
However it should noted that Tasmania has a cooler climate compared to mainland Australia and receives less sunshine hours annually which could impact efficiency of Solar PV systems. A detailed site-specific assessment including factors such as local climate (sunshine hours), topography (slope/aspect), soil condition etc., would be required before deciding on suitability for large scale Solar PV installation.
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: Monday 27th of May 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.




