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Solar PV Analysis of Dandenong, Australia
The location at Dandenong, Victoria, Australia is in a decent position for generating solar energy year-round. However, the amount of energy that can be produced will vary depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect to generate about 7.58 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This is the best time of year for solar energy production due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity.
Autumn sees a drop in production to around 3.82 kWh/day per kW due to shorter days and lower sun intensity.
Winter has the lowest productivity with only about 2.31 kWh/day per kW because of even shorter days and more cloud cover blocking sunlight.
Spring sees an increase again with about 5.69 kWh/day per kW as daylight hours increase and there are fewer clouds.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 32 degrees facing North. This maximizes exposure to the sun throughout all seasons.
As far as local factors that could hinder solar production, Dandenong does experience some cloud cover throughout the year which could block sunlight from reaching your panels especially during winter months when cloud cover is highest. Also, any large buildings or trees nearby could potentially cast shadows on your panels reducing their effectiveness.
To mitigate these issues it's important when installing your panels that they are placed in a location with minimal shade from nearby structures or trees especially during peak sunlight hours (midday). Additionally investing in high-quality panels that perform well under cloudy conditions can also help ensure greater energy production overall.
Note: The Southern Temperate Zone extends from -35° latitude South down to -66.5° 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 Dandenong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -37.9847811, Longitude: 145.2139907 (Dandenong, 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 32° North in Dandenong, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dandenong, Australia (Lat/Long -37.9847811, 145.2139907) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Dandenong, 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 Dandenong, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Dandenong, 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 Dandenong, 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 Dandenong, Australia
Dandenong, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is part of the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area. The topography around Dandenong is relatively flat to gently undulating, with some areas of low hills. The region has a mix of urban and suburban development, industrial areas, and patches of remnant vegetation.
The area around Dandenong does not have large expanses of open land that would be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations due to its urban nature. However, there are several industrial areas where rooftop solar panels could be installed on warehouses or other large buildings.
For larger scale solar PV projects, one might need to look further afield from Dandenong itself. To the east and southeast are more rural regions with larger tracts of open land that may be suitable for such projects. These include the regions around Pakenham and Cranbourne.
However, it's important to note that suitability isn't just about topography - factors like local climate (solar irradiance), proximity to power grids or energy consumers (to minimize transmission losses), land use regulations (e.g., zoning), ecological considerations (avoiding sensitive habitats) etc., also need to be considered when selecting sites for large-scale solar installations.
Finally, given Victoria's variable weather conditions with frequent cloud cover and rain during certain periods in a year which can limit sunlight exposure necessary for optimal operation of Solar PV systems; wind energy might also be an alternative renewable energy source worth considering in this region depending upon site-specific conditions.
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.
