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Solar PV Analysis of Cobar, Australia
The location in Cobar, New South Wales, Australia is generally good for generating solar energy throughout the year. This is because it's located in the Southern Sub Tropics where there's a lot of sunshine. However, how much energy you can generate changes with each season.
In summer, you can expect to produce around 8.51 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This makes summer an ideal time for solar power production at this location due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
In autumn and spring, the amount of electricity produced drops slightly but still remains reasonable at 5.35 kWh/day and 6.62 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar panels.
Winter sees the lowest production levels with only about 3.66 kWh/day per kW due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, it's recommended that they're installed at a tilt angle facing 28 degrees North which will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a day.
As far as local factors that could potentially affect your solar power production in Cobar - like environmental issues or weather conditions - there aren't any significant ones that stand out immediately without further detailed research into local conditions such as cloud cover frequency or dust levels etc., but these are common considerations anywhere when installing solar panels.
However, if such factors were found to be significant after further investigation then some preventative measures could include regular cleaning and maintenance schedules for your panels to ensure they stay clear from dust or debris which might block sunlight; using tracking systems so your panels can follow the sun across its daily path through the sky; or even using advanced technology like bifacial modules which can capture light reflected off surfaces below them if shading was an issue on site.
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 Cobar
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -31.497762, Longitude: 145.8362994 (Cobar, 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 Cobar, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cobar, Australia (Lat/Long -31.497762, 145.8362994) 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 Cobar, 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 Cobar, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° North in Summer | 37° North in Autumn | 46° North in Winter | 25° 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 Cobar, 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 Cobar, 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 Cobar, Australia
Cobar, Australia is located in the western part of New South Wales. The topography around this area is largely flat and arid, characterized by plains and low-lying hills. It falls within the semi-arid climate zone with little rainfall throughout the year.
Given this topography and climate, large-scale solar PV installations would be highly suitable in this region. The flat plains provide ample space for solar panel installation without significant geographical obstacles to impede sunlight exposure. Furthermore, the consistent sunshine and lack of rainfall increase the efficiency of solar energy generation.
Areas such as Nymagee to the south or Louth to the north-west could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV due to their similar topographical features as Cobar - vast open spaces with plenty of sunlight exposure.
However, it's important to consider other factors such as proximity to existing power grids for energy transmission, local land use regulations and potential environmental impact before deciding on a specific location for large-scale solar installations.
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.
