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Solar PV Analysis of Canowindra, Australia
The location at Canowindra, New South Wales, Australia is quite good for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, it's not perfect as the amount of energy you can generate changes with each season.
In the summer, you can expect to generate about 8.24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This is pretty high and makes summer an ideal time for solar power generation in this location.
Autumn sees a decrease in this number to about 4.97 kWh/day per kW installed, and winter brings another drop to 3.11 kWh/day per kW installed due to shorter days and less sunlight.
Spring sees a rise again with around 6.20 kWh/day per kW installed which is still quite respectable.
To get the most out of your solar panels in Canowindra all year round, it's recommended that they're tilted at an angle of 29 degrees facing North.
As far as local factors that could affect your solar production go - there aren't any major ones that stand out specifically for Canowindra - but general issues like shading from trees or buildings could reduce your panel’s exposure to sunlight and hence lower their efficiency. Dust and bird droppings can also accumulate on the panels over time which can slightly reduce their performance too.
To prevent these issues from affecting your energy production too much, regular cleaning and maintenance are recommended – just make sure they are free from dust or any other obstructions that might block sunlight reaching them.
Also consider where you place your panels – try to put them somewhere they won't be shaded during peak sun hours if possible.
So overall - while not perfect - Canowindra does offer good potential for generating decent amounts of solar power throughout most parts of the year with proper installation and maintenance.
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 Canowindra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.5622339, Longitude: 148.6648597 (Canowindra, 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 29° North in Canowindra, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Canowindra, Australia (Lat/Long -33.5622339, 148.6648597) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Canowindra, 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 Canowindra, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° 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 | 39° North in Autumn | 48° North in Winter | 27° 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 Canowindra, 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 Canowindra, 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 Canowindra, Australia
Canowindra is located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The topography of the area is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with some flat plains. The town sits in a small green valley surrounded by gentle hillside slopes, with the Belubula River running through it.
The climate in Canowindra is relatively warm and dry throughout most of the year, making it suitable for solar energy production. However, when considering large-scale solar PV installations, flatter regions are more preferable due to easier installation and maintenance.
Nearby areas that could be suited for large-scale solar PV include:
1. Cowra: Located to the east of Canowindra. It has a mix of flat plains and low-lying hills which could be suitable for large scale solar farms.
2. Parkes: Located to the north-west of Canowindra. Known for its clear skies and abundant sunlight throughout most parts of the year which makes it ideal for solar power generation.
3. Forbes: To the west of Canowindra also has considerable flat land that could be used for this purpose.
It's important to note that factors such as local regulations, environmental impact assessments, proximity to transmission lines or grids (for feeding back excess power), availability and cost of land should also be considered when choosing a site for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, any precise determination would require detailed feasibility studies including sun irradiation levels mapping (solar resource), topographical surveys (terrain slope), accessibility (proximity to roads), grid connection possibilities 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!
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.
