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Solar PV Analysis of Camperdown, Australia
Camperdown, Victoria, Australia is a decent location for generating solar energy all year round. However, the amount of energy that can be generated varies significantly throughout the year due to seasonal changes in sunlight.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.31 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. This makes summer the best time of year for generating solar power at this location.
In autumn and winter, the amount of sunlight decreases leading to lower energy generation - around 3.64 kWh/day/kW in autumn and even less in winter at only about 2.42 kWh/day/kW. The situation improves in spring when you can expect to generate approximately 5.60 kWh/day/kW.
To maximize your total yearly production from solar panels at this location, it's recommended that your panels are installed with a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing North.
As far as local factors that could affect solar production go, Camperdown does experience some cloudy days which could reduce sunlight exposure on the panels and thus their efficiency. Furthermore, any tall buildings or trees nearby could also cast shadows on the panels leading to reduced productivity.
To overcome these obstacles and ensure greater energy production from your solar installation:
1) Choose a site where there is minimal shading throughout different times of day and across different seasons.
2) Regularly clean your panels as dust or bird droppings can block sunlight.
3) Monitor weather forecasts closely so you know when cloud cover may affect productivity.
4) Consider using advanced technology like dual-axis tracking systems which allow your panel to move with the sun thereby maximizing exposure.
Remember though: while these measures can help increase productivity they might also increase costs so it's important to weigh up pros and cons before making decisions!
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 Camperdown
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.2339614, Longitude: 143.148951 (Camperdown, 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 33° North in Camperdown, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Camperdown, Australia (Lat/Long -38.2339614, 143.148951) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Camperdown, 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 Camperdown, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Camperdown, 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 Camperdown, 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 Camperdown, Australia
Camperdown, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is characterized by a mix of flat and gently rolling landscapes. The region is part of the Victorian Volcanic Plain, which means it has fertile soil due to its volcanic origin. There are also several lakes and craters in this area due to past volcanic activity.
The region gets a good amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations. However, considering topography and land use suitability for large-scale solar PV installation, areas with flat or gently sloping terrains would be ideal as they require less groundwork preparation.
Most importantly, these installations should ideally be located away from residential areas and environmentally sensitive sites like wetlands or forests. Farmlands could potentially accommodate such installations without much disruption to agricultural activities as long as they're planned carefully.
In terms of specific areas around Camperdown that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations - flat rural lands towards north-east (towards Derrinallum) or north-west (towards Terang) could potentially be suitable.
However, any decision on installing large-scale solar PV must consider multiple factors including local regulations, environmental impact assessments, grid connectivity possibilities along with topography and sun exposure levels. Therefore a thorough feasibility study would need to be conducted before deciding on specific locations.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 17th of February 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.
