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Solar PV Analysis of Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy, South Australia, Australia, is a pretty good place to generate energy using solar panels throughout the year. The amount of energy you can get from your solar panels depends on the time of year and how much sunlight there is.
In summer, you can expect to get a lot of power - about 8.55 kilowatt-hours for each kilowatt of solar panels you have installed per day. This reduces in autumn to about 5.71 kWh/day and even further in winter to around 4.30 kWh/day due to less sunlight hours and intensity during these seasons. However, it picks up again in spring with around 7.25 kWh/day.
To maximize your yearly power production from your solar panels at this location, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 26 degrees facing North (towards the equator). This angle will allow them to capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a year.
However, there may be some local factors that could affect how well your solar panels work here such as dust storms or high temperatures which are common in this region that could potentially cover or damage the panels reducing their efficiency.
To overcome these challenges, regular cleaning and maintenance would be needed especially after dust storms which would involve removing any accumulated dust or debris on the panel surface so they can absorb maximum sunlight for electricity generation.
Also consider installing cooling systems or choosing photovoltaic modules designed for high-temperature operation that can withstand Coober Pedy's hot climate without suffering significant drops in performance.
In conclusion: Coober Pedy is generally a good location for generating solar power due its abundant sunshine throughout most parts of the year but attention should be paid towards maintaining optimal conditions for panel operation considering local weather conditions.
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 Coober Pedy
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -29.013516, Longitude: 134.7544219 (Coober Pedy, 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 26° North in Coober Pedy, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coober Pedy, Australia (Lat/Long -29.013516, 134.7544219) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Coober Pedy, 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 Coober Pedy, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13° North in Summer | 34° North in Autumn | 44° North in Winter | 22° 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 Coober Pedy, 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 Coober Pedy, 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 Coober Pedy, Australia
Coober Pedy is located in the southern part of Australia's arid and sparsely populated interior. The topography around Coober Pedy is largely flat, with low-lying hills and vast open plains. The soil is predominantly reddish due to the presence of iron oxides, with sparse vegetation adapted to the arid conditions.
The climate in this region is characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and very little rainfall throughout the year. This makes it an ideal location for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Large-scale solar PV systems require a lot of space that's free from obstructions such as trees or buildings that could cast shadows on the panels. They also need a location where they can get maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day. Given these requirements, flat open plains around Coober Pedy would be most suited for large-scale solar PV systems.
Moreover, Coober Pedy already has a 1 MW solar power station which saves approximately 500,000 litres of diesel fuel per annum (as per reports), indicating its suitability for such projects.
However, it should be noted that while geographical and climatic conditions are important factors in determining suitability for solar PV installations; other factors like accessibility to grid infrastructure; availability of resources like water for cleaning panels; local regulations and policies related to renewable energy development etc., also play significant roles in deciding feasibility of such projects.
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: Wednesday 10th of May 2023
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.
