Berry, New South Wales, Australia, located at latitude -34.7786 and longitude 150.6948 in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation throughout the year, though with notable seasonal variations.

The solar energy production at this location shows significant seasonal differences. Summer is the most productive season, generating an average of 6.40kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 5.71kWh/day. Autumn produces a moderate 4.29kWh/day, while winter sees the lowest production at just 3.09kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Performance

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (more than double the daily output) indicates that Berry experiences significant seasonal variation in solar potential. This pattern is typical for locations in the Southern Hemisphere, where December-February (summer) provides peak solar conditions, while June-August (winter) offers the least favorable conditions for solar energy generation.

For a fixed panel installation at this Berry location, the ideal angle to tilt panels to maximize total year-round production from solar PV is 31 degrees facing North. This optimized tilt angle helps balance seasonal variations and maximize the annual energy yield.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Berry. Being in a coastal region, salt spray may accumulate on panels, particularly during stormy weather, which can reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning and using marine-grade components can mitigate this issue.

Berry's location in the Shoalhaven region means it can experience morning fog, especially in valleys and low-lying areas, which may delay morning solar production. Mounting panels at higher elevations where possible can help avoid some fog impacts.

The area also experiences occasional bushfire smoke during summer months, which can temporarily reduce solar efficiency. While unavoidable, ensuring panels are easily accessible for cleaning after smoke events can help maintain production.

Additionally, Berry receives moderate rainfall throughout the year, which can help naturally clean panels but may also contribute to cloudy days that reduce production. Installing microinverters or power optimizers can help minimize the impact of partial shading from clouds.

Overall, Berry offers a good location for solar PV installation with strong summer and spring performance, though winter production drops considerably. With proper installation considerations and maintenance, solar energy remains a viable renewable energy option for this location.

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 Berry

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.7786, Longitude: 150.6948 (Berry, 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 Berry, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Berry, Australia (Lat/Long -34.7786, 150.6948) 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 Berry, 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 Berry, 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
19° North in Summer	40° North in Autumn	50° North in Winter	29° 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 Berry, 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 Berry, Australia.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Berry, Australia

Berry, Australia, positioned at latitude -34.7786 and longitude 150.6948, sits within a diverse topographical landscape that combines coastal plains, rolling hills, and mountainous terrain. The town is nestled in the Shoalhaven region of New South Wales, approximately 140 kilometers south of Sydney. The immediate surroundings of Berry feature gently undulating terrain that gradually rises from the coastal plains towards the west. To the east, the land flattens as it approaches the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, which lies about 7 kilometers from the town center. This eastern coastal plain consists primarily of fertile agricultural lands and scattered wetlands.

Surrounding Landscape Features

To the west and northwest of Berry rises the significant geographical feature of the Illawarra Escarpment, which forms part of the Great Dividing Range. This escarpment creates a dramatic backdrop to the town, with elevations reaching over 500 meters in some areas. The escarpment is characterized by steep slopes, dense vegetation, and several plateaus. Berry itself sits at an elevation of approximately 30 meters above sea level, positioned in what can be described as a transitional zone between the coastal plains and the foothills of the escarpment. The town is situated within the valley of Broughton Creek, which flows through the area before joining the Shoalhaven River system. The region experiences a temperate climate with maritime influences due to its proximity to the ocean. This climate supports diverse vegetation, including rainforest elements in the escarpment areas and more open woodland and agricultural landscapes in the lower elevations.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

When considering large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations near Berry, several factors related to topography become important, including elevation, slope orientation, and shading effects. The relatively flat coastal plains to the east and southeast of Berry present the most suitable terrain for large-scale solar PV development. These areas offer several advantages: minimal shading from topographical features, relatively consistent elevation, and good accessibility for construction and maintenance. The open agricultural lands in this direction would require less land clearing and preparation compared to more rugged areas. Areas to avoid would include the western slopes of the Illawarra Escarpment, which not only feature steep gradients making construction difficult but also experience more cloud cover and potential morning shading effects. Similarly, the densely vegetated areas and narrow valleys would require significant land clearing and might face environmental protection restrictions. The gently rolling hills to the south of Berry offer a reasonable compromise, with moderate slopes that could be oriented to maximize solar exposure while still being accessible for development. These areas typically have good drainage and less intensive current land use compared to the prime agricultural lands directly surrounding the town. Another consideration is that the northern facing slopes of any hills in the region (given the Southern Hemisphere location) would receive more consistent solar radiation throughout the year compared to southern facing slopes, making them preferable for solar PV installations when flat land is not available. The areas approximately 5-10 kilometers south and southeast of Berry, where the terrain begins to open up toward the broader Shoalhaven River floodplain, combine favorable topographical characteristics with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, potentially making them ideal candidates for large-scale solar development.

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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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.