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Solar PV Analysis of Drouin, Australia
Drouin, Victoria, Australia, located at latitude -38.1264 and longitude 145.8521, offers a varied potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Southern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar panel efficiency in Drouin peaks during the summer months, with an impressive output of 7.34 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 5.84 kWh/day/kW. Autumn sees a notable decrease to 3.76 kWh/day/kW, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.49 kWh/day/kW.
These figures indicate that Drouin's location is quite favorable for solar energy production during summer and spring, with more challenging conditions in autumn and winter. The substantial difference between summer and winter outputs (nearly a threefold decrease) highlights the importance of proper system sizing to ensure adequate year-round energy supply.
Optimal Panel Positioning
To maximize year-round solar energy production in Drouin, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 33 degrees facing north. This orientation helps to optimize the capture of available sunlight throughout the year, balancing the varying sun angles across seasons.
Environmental Considerations
While Drouin's location is generally suitable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider:
- Cloud cover: Drouin experiences a moderate amount of cloudy days, particularly during winter, which can impact solar output.
- Rainfall: The area receives regular rainfall, which can temporarily reduce panel efficiency if not properly managed.
To mitigate these factors, consider installing panels with anti-soiling coatings to reduce the impact of rain and dust. Additionally, implementing a regular cleaning schedule can help maintain optimal panel performance.
In conclusion, while Drouin's location presents some challenges for year-round solar energy production, particularly during winter months, it remains a viable option for renewable energy generation. With proper system design, panel orientation, and maintenance, solar PV installations can effectively harness the abundant summer and spring sunlight to offset the reduced winter output.
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 Drouin
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.1264, Longitude: 145.8521 (Drouin, 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 33° North in Drouin, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Drouin, Australia (Lat/Long -38.1264, 145.8521) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Drouin, 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 Drouin, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° 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 Drouin, 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 Drouin, 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 Drouin, Australia
The topography around Drouin, Australia is characterized by gently rolling hills and undulating terrain. Drouin is situated in the West Gippsland region of Victoria, nestled between the Strzelecki Ranges to the south and the Great Dividing Range to the north. The landscape is predominantly rural, with a mix of farmland, pastures, and scattered patches of native vegetation.
The area surrounding Drouin features a variety of elevations, with the town itself sitting at an altitude of approximately 100 meters above sea level. As you move away from the town center, the terrain gradually rises and falls, creating a picturesque countryside typical of the Gippsland region. Small creeks and streams crisscross the landscape, contributing to the area's lush, green appearance.
When considering areas nearby that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, several factors come into play. Ideally, solar farms require relatively flat or gently sloping land with good exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Based on the topography of the region, some potential areas for solar PV development could include:
1. The open farmland to the north and northeast of Drouin, extending towards Warragul and Longwarry. These areas tend to have fewer hills and more expansive, cleared spaces that could accommodate large solar arrays.
2. The agricultural land to the west and southwest of Drouin, towards Bunyip and Nar Nar Goon. This region features some flatter terrain that might be suitable for solar installations.
3. The rural areas to the southeast of Drouin, in the direction of Lardner and Nilma, where there are pockets of open land with favorable topography for solar farms.
It's important to note that while these areas may have suitable topography, other factors such as proximity to electrical infrastructure, local zoning regulations, and environmental considerations would also need to be taken into account when planning a large-scale solar PV project. Additionally, detailed site assessments would be necessary to determine the most optimal locations for solar farm development 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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Wednesday 16th of October 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.
