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Solar PV Analysis of Bridgewater, Australia
Bridgewater, South Australia is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of electricity produced from solar power varies depending on the season due to changes in sunlight exposure. During summer, you can expect to generate around 7.93 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This output drops to 4.50 kWh/day in autumn and further down to 2.94 kWh/day in winter when there's less sunlight available during shorter days. However, it picks up again in spring with an output of about 6.26 kWh/day.
The best times of the year for generating solar energy at this location are during summer and spring when there's more sunshine available for longer periods each day.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 30 degrees towards the North will maximize your total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic system because it aligns better with the sun’s path across the sky.
There could be local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels such as shading by trees or buildings which block sunlight hitting your panels directly or weather conditions like heavy cloud cover or dust storms which reduce sunlight intensity reaching your panels.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges, consider installing your panels away from any obstructions that might cause shade and regularly clean them to remove any dust or dirt buildup that could lower their efficiency.
Additionally, investing in high-quality equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions may also help maintain optimal performance levels even under less than ideal circumstances.
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 Bridgewater
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.0269, Longitude: 138.7805 (Bridgewater, 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 30° North in Bridgewater, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Bridgewater, Australia (Lat/Long -35.0269, 138.7805) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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 | 39° North in Autumn | 50° North in Winter | 28° 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, 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 Bridgewater, Australia
Bridgewater, Australia is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The topography of this area is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and plateaus. The landscape is predominantly rural with vineyards, orchards and farmland interspersed with patches of natural vegetation.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are generally most suitable as they allow for easier installation and maintenance while maximizing sun exposure. Areas that are free from shading (from trees or buildings) throughout the day would also be ideal.
The plains to the east of Bridgewater towards Murray Bridge could potentially be suitable for such a project due to their relatively flat terrain compared to the hilly regions around Bridgewater itself. However, any specific site would need a detailed assessment including factors like soil type, access to grid infrastructure and potential environmental impacts.
Also important to consider would be local regulations regarding land use and renewable energy projects – these can vary greatly between different jurisdictions within Australia so it's always important to check with local councils or planning authorities first before proceeding with any large-scale solar project.
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: Wednesday 12th of June 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.
