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Solar PV Analysis of Dodges Ferry, Australia
Dodges Ferry, Tasmania, Australia is a decent location for generating solar energy year-round, but it's not the best. The amount of energy produced by a solar panel depends on the amount of sunlight it receives, which changes with the seasons.
In summer, when days are longest and sunniest, you can expect to generate about 7.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. This is quite good and makes summer an ideal time for generating solar power in Dodges Ferry.
In autumn and spring, there's less sunshine so you'd get less energy - about 3.50 kWh/day in autumn and 5.28 kWh/day in spring per kW of installed solar panels.
Winter is the least ideal time because days are shortest and often cloudiest. You could only expect to generate about 1.97 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels during this season.
To maximise your year-round production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system at this location, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37 degrees facing north. This would help them catch as much sunlight as possible throughout different times of the year.
As for potential obstacles to producing solar power in Dodges Ferry – yes there are a few due to its environmental conditions and local weather patterns:
- The area can be cloudy or foggy which reduces sunlight exposure.
- Dodges Ferry has a temperate oceanic climate with relatively high rainfall throughout the year that could affect panel efficiency.
- It's also exposed to winds that could potentially damage poorly secured panels or cause debris accumulation on them reducing their effectiveness.
To overcome these challenges:
- Installations should be done professionally ensuring they're secure against strong winds.
- Regular cleaning & maintenance will ensure that dirt or debris doesn't block sunlight from reaching your panels.
- If possible consider tracking systems that adjust panel angles to follow the sun's movement for maximum exposure.
- Use of high-quality panels with good performance in lower light conditions and resistance to moisture could also be beneficial.
So, while Dodges Ferry isn't the most ideal location for solar power generation, it's certainly possible to produce a decent amount of solar energy there with the right setup and maintenance.
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 Dodges Ferry
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -42.8578475, Longitude: 147.6174678 (Dodges Ferry, 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 37° North in Dodges Ferry, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Dodges Ferry, Australia (Lat/Long -42.8578475, 147.6174678) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 Dodges Ferry, 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 Dodges Ferry, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27° North in Summer | 47° North in Autumn | 58° North in Winter | 35° 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 Dodges Ferry, 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 Dodges Ferry, 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 Dodges Ferry, Australia
Dodges Ferry, located in Tasmania, Australia, is a coastal region with a mix of flat and hilly terrain. The area is primarily residential with some open spaces and farmland. It has beaches on one side and the Pitt Water Nature Reserve on the other.
As for solar PV installations, flat areas with good sun exposure would be most suitable. Farmlands or open spaces could be potential locations for large-scale solar projects as they are typically less obstructed by buildings or trees that could block sunlight.
However, it's important to note that Tasmania generally receives less sunlight than mainland Australia due to its southern latitude and frequent cloud cover. Therefore, while solar power is still viable in this region, it may not be as efficient as in other parts of Australia.
Before planning any large-scale solar project in Dodges Ferry or any other location, it would be advisable to conduct a detailed site assessment considering factors such as local climate conditions (including average sunlight hours), land slope and orientation (south-facing slopes are best in the southern hemisphere), soil type (for ground-mounted systems), proximity to grid connection points, potential environmental impacts and local planning regulations.
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.
