Carina, Queensland, Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a favorable environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. This suburb of Brisbane, situated at latitude -27.4905 and longitude 153.0992, experiences significant seasonal variations in solar output, but maintains a relatively high potential for photovoltaic (PV) energy production.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy potential in Carina fluctuates across the seasons:

• Summer: 7.19 kWh/day per kW installed
• Autumn: 4.60 kWh/day per kW installed
• Winter: 4.09 kWh/day per kW installed
• Spring: 6.29 kWh/day per kW installed

Summer and spring are the most productive seasons, with winter showing the lowest output. However, even during winter, the solar potential remains substantial, making year-round solar energy generation viable in this location.

Optimal Panel Positioning

For fixed panel installations in Carina, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 25 degrees facing North. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Carina's climate is generally conducive to solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:

1. Subtropical storms: The region can experience intense storms, particularly during summer. Installing sturdy mounting systems and using high-quality, weather-resistant panels can mitigate potential damage.
2. Humidity: The subtropical climate means higher humidity levels, which can potentially affect the efficiency of solar panels over time. Regular cleaning and maintenance can help counteract this issue.

These factors, while noteworthy, are not significant impediments to solar production in Carina. With proper installation techniques and regular maintenance, these challenges can be effectively managed.

Conclusion

Overall, Carina presents an excellent location for solar PV installations. The high solar potential during summer and spring, combined with reasonable output in autumn and winter, makes it an ideal spot for year-round solar energy generation. By optimizing panel angles and addressing minor environmental considerations, residents and businesses in Carina can harness substantial solar energy throughout the year.

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 Carina

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -27.4905, Longitude: 153.0992 (Carina, 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 25° North in Carina, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Carina, Australia (Lat/Long -27.4905, 153.0992) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Carina, 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 Carina, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
11° North in Summer	33° North in Autumn	42° North in Winter	21° 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 Carina, 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 Carina, Australia.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Carina, Australia

The topography around Carina, Australia, which is located in the eastern suburbs of Brisbane, is generally characterized by gently rolling terrain. This area is part of the broader coastal plain that stretches along much of southeast Queensland. The landscape is a mix of low hills and flat areas, with elevations typically ranging from near sea level to around 30-40 meters above sea level.

Carina itself sits on relatively flat ground, but as you move slightly inland to the west, the terrain becomes more undulating. To the east, the land gradually slopes down towards Moreton Bay, which is only a few kilometers away. The nearby suburbs of Carindale and Camp Hill feature some slightly higher elevations and more pronounced hills.

The area's natural vegetation would have originally been a mixture of eucalyptus forests and coastal heath, but much of this has been cleared for urban development. Scattered parks and reserves in the region provide glimpses of the original landscape.

Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the immediate vicinity of Carina is not ideal due to its urban nature and lack of large open spaces. However, if we consider the broader region around Brisbane, there are several areas that could be more suitable:

The Lockyer Valley, located about 80 kilometers west of Carina, offers expansive flat agricultural lands that could potentially accommodate large solar farms. This area receives ample sunshine and has less urban development, making it a more viable option for large-scale solar projects.

Areas to the north, such as the Sunshine Coast hinterland, also have potential. While more hilly, there are pockets of cleared land that could be suitable for solar installations, particularly on the gentler slopes that face north for maximum sun exposure.

The Somerset Region, northwest of Brisbane, is another area worth considering. It has a mix of flat and gently sloping terrain, with large rural properties that could potentially host solar farms.

It's important to note that while these areas may be topographically suitable, any large-scale solar PV project would need to consider many other factors, including proximity to the electrical grid, local planning regulations, and environmental impact assessments.

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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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.