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Solar PV Analysis of Burnie, Australia
The location of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia, is somewhat suitable for generating solar energy year-round. However, the efficiency varies with each season due to changes in sunlight availability.
In summer and spring, you can expect a good amount of energy production because there's more sunlight during these seasons. Specifically, you can get about 6.94 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 4.92 kWh/day in spring per kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power.
On the other hand, autumn and winter have less sunlight available so the energy production decreases significantly during these seasons - only about 3.22 kWh/day in autumn and even lower at 1.78 kWh/day in winter per kW of installed solar power.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar panels at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 35 degrees facing North.
As for local factors that may affect solar production in Burnie: The city has a temperate maritime climate with high rainfall throughout the year which could potentially reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching the panels thus reducing their efficiency.
Another factor could be topographical; if there are hills or mountains casting shadows on your installation site for significant parts of the day then this would also reduce efficiency.
Preventative measures to ensure greater energy production might include choosing an installation site that is not shaded by landscape features or buildings especially around midday when sun is highest; installing panels on a tracking system that follows sun’s path across sky to maximize exposure; using high-quality panels designed to perform well under different light conditions including low light; regular maintenance like cleaning off any accumulated dust or bird droppings which can block sunlight from reaching panel surface; finally consider installing some form wind protection if necessary as strong winds can cause damage over time.
It's also worth mentioning that while these factors could potentially reduce overall productivity it doesn't mean they will entirely prevent it. Even under less than ideal conditions, solar panels can still produce a significant amount of power.
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 Burnie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -41.0522881, Longitude: 145.904988 (Burnie, 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 35° North in Burnie, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Burnie, Australia (Lat/Long -41.0522881, 145.904988) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Burnie, 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 Burnie, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° North in Summer | 45° North in Autumn | 56° North in Winter | 33° 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 Burnie, 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 Burnie, 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 Burnie, Australia
Burnie, Australia is located on the north-west coast of Tasmania. It is a port city with a mix of coastal and hilly topography. The area around Burnie is characterized by undulating hills, dense forests, and farmland. The landscape rises as you move away from the coast into more mountainous regions.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are generally preferred to minimize installation costs and optimize sun exposure. Given this, farmlands or cleared lands in the vicinity of Burnie could potentially be suitable for such projects.
However, it's important to note that Tasmania receives less solar radiation compared to mainland Australia due to its higher latitude and often cloudy conditions. Therefore, while it's technically possible to install large-scale solar PV in areas around Burnie, the efficiency may be lower compared to other parts of Australia.
Also keep in mind that any potential site would need further assessment considering factors like local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for connection purposes etc.
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 13th 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.
