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Solar PV Analysis of Bendigo, Australia
Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, located in the Southern Temperate Zone, has varying levels of solar energy potential throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that how much electricity a solar panel can produce changes with the seasons.
During summer, when the sun is out longer and stronger, a solar panel can produce about 8.41 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar installed. This drops to about 4.52 kWh/day in autumn and even lower to 2.73 kWh/day in winter when days are shorter and sunlight is less intense. However, it increases again to around 6.35 kWh/day in spring as daylight hours increase.
The best times for generating solar energy at this location would be during summer and spring when sunlight availability is highest.
For fixed panel installations here, tilting panels at an angle of 31 degrees North will allow them to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year - like pointing a satellite dish directly towards where most signals are coming from.
As for local factors that might affect solar production - Bendigo experiences seasonal weather variations including cloud cover which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days; however this region generally enjoys plenty of sunshine making it suitable for harnessing solar power overall.
In terms of topography or landscape features: if there are hills or tall buildings casting shadows over where you plan to install your panels, they could block some sunlight too; so choosing a clear open spot will be beneficial.
As preventative measures: regular cleaning maintenance can help ensure that dust or debris doesn't build up on your panels blocking light; also using sturdy mounting systems can safeguard against wind damage especially during stormy periods.
In summary: while Bendigo's seasonal variability means there will be fluctuations in daily energy generation from your panels across different parts of the year – overall it still presents good potential for harnessing sun power effectively if managed well!
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 Bendigo
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -36.7596196, Longitude: 144.2785764 (Bendigo, 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 Bendigo, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bendigo, Australia (Lat/Long -36.7596196, 144.2785764) 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 Bendigo, 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 Bendigo, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° North in Summer | 41° North in Autumn | 51° North in Winter | 30° 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 Bendigo, 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 Bendigo, 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 Bendigo, Australia
Bendigo, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is characterized by a relatively flat to gently undulating topography. The region has some hills and valleys, but most of the land is quite level. The city itself lies in a large, fertile valley surrounded by several forests.
The climate in Bendigo is warm and temperate with more rainfall during winter months than summer. This makes it an ideal location for solar PV installations as it receives a good amount of sunlight throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open areas with little to no shading are ideal. In Bendigo's case, unused or underutilized farmlands or industrial zones could be potential sites for such projects. These areas typically have less obstructions (like tall buildings or trees) that can block sunlight.
Additionally, regions to the north of Bendigo like Echuca and Swan Hill could also be suitable due to their higher levels of solar irradiance compared to other parts of Victoria.
However, any decision on where exactly to locate a large-scale solar PV installation should also consider factors like proximity to existing power infrastructure for grid connection, local planning regulations as well as potential environmental impacts.
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: 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.
