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Solar PV Analysis of Busselton, Australia
Busselton, Western Australia, Australia is a decent place to generate solar energy year-round, but it's not the best. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer, you can expect to generate about 8.47 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panel installed. This drops to 4.18 kWh/day in autumn and 2.98 kWh/day in winter, then goes back up to 6.45 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the best time of year for generating solar power in Busselton is during the summer and spring months when sunlight is abundant and days are longer.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should be fixed at an angle facing 28 degrees North - this will allow them to catch as much sun as possible throughout different times of the year.
As far as environmental or local factors go that could affect your ability to generate solar power in Busselton - there might be a few considerations depending on specific locations within Busselton such as potential shading from nearby buildings or trees which would block sunlight reaching your panels; also weather conditions like frequent cloudy or rainy days could reduce output.
To overcome these issues, it's important during installation process to ensure that panels are positioned where they will receive maximum exposure to sun without obstructions blocking their light intake; if necessary trimming back overhanging branches from trees etc., Also consider installing more efficient types of panels that work better under less-than-ideal light conditions or even battery storage system so excess power generated on sunny days can be stored for use when production dips due on cloudy or rainy days.
In summary, while Busselton isn't perfect for generating solar energy due its variable weather and seasonal changes – with careful planning around panel positioning and possibly some additional investment into efficient technology or battery storage, it can still be a feasible location for solar energy production.
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 Busselton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.6516465, Longitude: 115.3473335 (Busselton, 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 28° North in Busselton, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Busselton, Australia (Lat/Long -33.6516465, 115.3473335) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Busselton, 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 Busselton, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° North in Summer | 38° North in Autumn | 49° North in Winter | 26° 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 Busselton, 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 Busselton, 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 Busselton, Australia
Busselton, Australia is located in the South West region of Western Australia. The topography around Busselton is primarily flat with some gentle undulating terrain. The area is mainly low-lying coastal plains, with a few small hills and valleys. It's characterized by sandy soil and is surrounded by forests to the south and east, while the west opens up to Geographe Bay.
The climate in Busselton is Mediterranean, with warm dry summers and mild wet winters - ideal for solar energy production.
Considering these factors, large-scale solar PV installations would be best suited in areas that are flat or gently sloping (for easy installation and maintenance), have high sun exposure (away from dense forest cover) and are close to existing power infrastructure for easy grid connection.
Potential suitable locations could include:
1. Unused agricultural land: There seems to be ample farmland around Busselton which could potentially host solar panels without much impact on local agriculture.
2. Industrial zones: Areas near industrial zones or commercial areas could also be suitable as they often have good access to power lines and roads.
3. Rooftops: Large rooftops of commercial buildings or warehouses can also provide excellent sites for installing solar panels.
However, any specific site selection would require a more detailed study considering various factors such as land ownership, environmental impact assessments etc.
It's worth noting that there are several successful renewable energy projects already operating in this region including wind farms and smaller scale rooftop solar installations indicating a positive environment for renewable energy 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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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.
