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Solar PV Analysis of Central Coast, Australia
The Central Coast of Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, is a pretty good spot for generating electricity through solar panels throughout the year. The amount of power you can get from your solar panels depends on the season. In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.73 kWh per day for each kW of solar panels installed. This decreases in autumn to 4.26 kWh/day and further decreases in winter to 3.37 kWh/day before increasing again in spring to 5.83 kWh/day.
So, while it's possible to generate solar energy all year round at this location, the most ideal times would be during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting them at an angle of 30 degrees facing North would give you the maximum total production from your solar PV system throughout the year.
As for factors that could hinder solar production at this location - environmental elements such as dust or bird droppings can accumulate on your panels over time and reduce their efficiency by blocking sunlight. Regular cleaning is therefore recommended.
Also consider potential shading issues caused by nearby trees or buildings - these could block sunlight from reaching your panels especially during low-sunlight seasons like winter or autumn.
Weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or hail could potentially damage your panels too so it might be worth considering protective measures like sturdy mounting structures or even insurance coverage against weather-related damages.
Lastly, remember that topography plays a role too – if you're installing on a hillside for example, make sure your panels are positioned optimally towards sun exposure and not shaded by other parts of the terrain.
Overall though, with careful planning and maintenance considerations taken into account – Central Coast Australia seems like a pretty good spot for harnessing consistent clean energy via Solar PV!
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 Central Coast
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.2319648, Longitude: 151.21729 (Central Coast, 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 30° North in Central Coast, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Central Coast, Australia (Lat/Long -33.2319648, 151.21729) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Central Coast, 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 Central Coast, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° 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 Central Coast, 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 Central Coast, 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 Central Coast, Australia
The topography around the Central Coast of Australia is varied, with coastal plains rising to rugged hinterland and mountain ranges. The region has several national parks with dense forests, valleys, and plateaus. It also has a large coastal area with beautiful beaches.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are usually preferred as they require less groundwork and can accommodate more panels. Areas that receive high levels of sunlight throughout the year are also ideal. Considering these factors, the following areas could be suitable for such installations:
1) Coastal Plains: The plains along the coast could be ideal for solar farms due to their flat terrain.
2) Rural Farmlands: Some parts of Central Coast have rural farmlands that can be utilized for solar PV if they are not being used intensively for agriculture.
3) Industrial Areas: There are several industrial areas in this region where rooftop solar panels or ground-mounted systems can be installed without major impact on land use.
4) Unused Lands: Any unused lands including brownfield sites (previously developed lands that are not currently in use), if available, can also be considered.
However, it's essential to conduct detailed feasibility studies considering various factors like sunlight availability (solar irradiance data), grid connectivity possibilities, environmental impact etc., before choosing a site for large-scale solar PV installation.
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.
