Coonamble, a town in New South Wales, Australia, offers a promising location for solar energy generation throughout the year. Situated in the Southern Sub Tropics at latitude -30.9514 and longitude 148.3845, this area experiences varying levels of solar potential across different seasons.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output in Coonamble fluctuates significantly between seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive 8.22 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 6.65 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output, producing 5.32 kWh/day/kW. Winter, as expected, has the lowest output at 3.95 kWh/day/kW, but still maintains a respectable level of energy production.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For those considering a fixed solar panel installation in Coonamble, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 28 degrees facing North. This angle has been calculated taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and the location's specific solar elevation angles throughout the year.

Best Times for Solar Generation

The most favorable period for solar energy generation in Coonamble spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, it's worth noting that even during the winter months, the area still receives a considerable amount of sunlight, allowing for continued energy production, albeit at a reduced rate.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Coonamble generally presents favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider: 1. Dust storms: The region occasionally experiences dust storms, which can temporarily reduce solar panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can help mitigate this issue. 2. High temperatures: Summer temperatures in Coonamble can be quite high, potentially affecting solar panel efficiency. Choosing high-quality panels designed to perform well in hot conditions and ensuring proper ventilation during installation can help address this concern. 3. Bushfire smoke: During bushfire season, smoke in the atmosphere can slightly reduce solar irradiance. While this is typically a temporary issue, installing a system with a higher capacity than strictly necessary can help offset any short-term reductions in output. By taking these factors into account and implementing appropriate preventative measures, solar installations in Coonamble can be optimized to harness the area's substantial solar potential effectively 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 Coonamble

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -30.9514, Longitude: 148.3845 (Coonamble, 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 Coonamble, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Coonamble, Australia (Lat/Long -30.9514, 148.3845) 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 Coonamble, 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 Coonamble, 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 Coonamble, 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 Coonamble, 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 Coonamble, Australia

The area around Coonamble, Australia, is characterized by relatively flat terrain typical of the inland plains of New South Wales. This region is part of the larger Darling Riverine Plains, which feature gently undulating landscapes with occasional low hills and ridges. The topography is generally uniform, with minimal elevation changes across large areas.

The landscape surrounding Coonamble is dominated by open grasslands and scattered woodlands. The Castlereagh River flows through the area, creating a shallow valley and floodplain. This river system has shaped the local topography over time, resulting in subtle variations in the terrain, including slight depressions and low-lying areas near the watercourse.

To the east of Coonamble, the terrain gradually becomes more elevated as it transitions towards the Warrumbungle Range, a series of ancient volcanic mountains. However, this change in elevation is gradual and occurs over a considerable distance.

Regarding areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, the flat and open nature of the landscape around Coonamble makes much of the region potentially viable. The most suitable areas would typically be:

1. Large, open fields away from the Castlereagh River's floodplain, where the land is less prone to periodic flooding.
2. Areas with minimal tree cover, reducing the need for land clearing and maximizing exposure to sunlight.
3. Locations with good road access for construction and maintenance purposes.
4. Sites that are not prime agricultural land, to balance the needs of solar energy production with food production.

The vast expanses of level ground to the west and northwest of Coonamble would likely be particularly well-suited for solar PV installations. These areas receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have fewer geographical constraints compared to regions closer to the Warrumbungle Range in the east.

It's important to note that while the topography is favorable for solar PV development, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would also play crucial roles in determining the most appropriate locations for large-scale solar projects in the region.

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.