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Solar PV Analysis of Coffs Harbour, Australia
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia, is a reasonably good place to generate solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy you can produce with solar panels changes depending on the season. During summer, each kilowatt of solar panel capacity can generate about 6.88 kWh per day. In autumn and winter, this drops to 4.39 kWh and 3.67 kWh per day respectively due to shorter days and less sunlight intensity. However, it picks up again in spring with an average of 5.99 kWh per day.
The best times to generate solar power in Coffs Harbour would be during the spring and summer months when there are longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight available for your panels to convert into electricity.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, you should tilt them at an angle of 27 degrees facing northwards. This is because it maximises exposure towards the sun as it moves across the sky from east (morning) to west (afternoon).
There could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can make with your solar panels in Coffs Harbour though - like weather conditions or physical features around where you live or work.
Coffs Harbour does experience some rainy days which could reduce sunlight availability for a short period; however this wouldn't significantly impact annual production numbers as these periods are usually brief.
If there are tall buildings or trees casting shadows over where your panels will go, they might block sunlight especially during early morning or late afternoon hours when shadows tend to be longer than midday hours when sun is overhead; so try placing them somewhere without any obstructions that cast long shadows if possible.
Also remember that dust buildup on panel surfaces reduces their efficiency by blocking sunlight; so regular cleaning would help maintain optimal performance levels especially if location has high dust levels due its proximity towards rural areas where farming activities take place frequently causing airborne dust particles to settle on panel surfaces.
Overall, with the right setup and maintenance, you should be able to generate a good amount of solar energy in Coffs Harbour.
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 Coffs Harbour
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -30.2962013, Longitude: 153.1138924 (Coffs Harbour, 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 27° North in Coffs Harbour, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coffs Harbour, Australia (Lat/Long -30.2962013, 153.1138924) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 27° 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 Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 27° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14° North in Summer | 36° North in Autumn | 45° North in Winter | 24° 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 Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour, 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 Coffs Harbour, Australia
Coffs Harbour is located on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. The topography of the area is diverse with a mix of coastal plains, sandy beaches, and hilly terrain covered in forests. The Great Dividing Range lies to the west and southwest, while to the east lies the Pacific Ocean.
The coastal plain near Coffs Harbour generally has a low elevation which gradually increases towards the west and southwest due to mountains and hills. This region experiences a subtropical climate with plenty of sunshine throughout the year.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are usually preferred as they make installation easier and more cost-effective. In this regard, areas around Coffs Harbour that could be suitable for such installations include:
1. Coastal Plains: These flat regions along the coastline could be ideal for large-scale solar farms given their easy accessibility and lower construction costs.
2. Agricultural Lands: Farmlands or pastures that are not currently in use could also serve as potential sites for solar PV systems.
3. Industrial Areas: Industrial zones or brownfield sites in or near Coffs Harbour would also be suitable as they often have good infrastructure connectivity.
4. Rooftops: Large commercial buildings or warehouses in Coffs Harbour could support rooftop solar panels.
However, it's important to note that feasibility studies would need to be conducted before any installation can take place since several factors like land ownership rights, environmental impact assessment, grid connectivity etc., need consideration.
Also remember that even though Coffs Harbor receives abundant sunlight making it an attractive location for solar energy production; other factors like local regulations regarding renewable energy installations should also be taken into account.
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.
