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Solar PV Analysis of Cowra, Australia
The location at Cowra, New South Wales, Australia is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be generated varies by season. In summer, you can expect to generate around 8.24 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This drops to 4.97 kWh/day in autumn and 3.11 kWh/day in winter, but increases again to 6.20 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the best time of year to generate solar power at this location is during the summer months when the sun is most intense and days are longest, followed by spring and then autumn with winter being least ideal due to shorter daylight hours and generally less intense sunlight.
If you're installing fixed-panel solar panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 29 degrees facing North will give you the most overall energy production throughout the year.
As for possible factors that could impede solar production at this location - there aren't any major ones mentioned specifically for Cowra but general considerations would include any large trees or buildings that could block sunlight from reaching your panels; local weather patterns like frequent cloud cover or dust storms; and topographical features like hills or valleys which could affect how much direct sunlight your panels receive.
To ensure greater energy production from your solar installation despite these potential challenges: choose a site with minimal shading especially during peak sun hours; clean your panels regularly if dust or dirt accumulation becomes an issue; consider using tracking systems which follow the sun's path across the sky instead of fixed-tilt systems if topography is a concern - although these tend to be more expensive initially they may increase output sufficiently over time to justify their cost.
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 Cowra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.8346839, Longitude: 148.6911799 (Cowra, 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 29° North in Cowra, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Cowra, Australia (Lat/Long -33.8346839, 148.6911799) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Cowra, 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 Cowra, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 49° 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 Cowra, 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 Cowra, 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 Cowra, Australia
Cowra, Australia is situated in the Central West region of New South Wales. The topography of this area is characterized by a relatively flat landscape with gentle undulating hills. The region has an elevation ranging from approximately 300 to 400 meters above sea level.
The climate in Cowra is classified as warm temperate, which implies it receives more sunlight than cooler climates, making it suitable for solar power generation. Moreover, the region has a significant number of clear days throughout the year that further enhances its potential for solar energy production.
For large-scale solar PV installations, areas with open and flat land would be most suited as they allow for easy installation and maintenance while maximizing exposure to sunlight. In Cowra's vicinity, regions towards the west and northwest such as Canowindra and Gooloogong could potentially be good sites due to their extensive open farmland areas.
However, other factors must also be considered including proximity to grid connection points (existing power lines), local planning regulations and potential environmental impacts before determining the suitability of these locations for large-scale solar PV 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: 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.
