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Solar PV Analysis of Edgewood, Australia
Edgewood, New South Wales, Australia, situated in the Southern Temperate Zone, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The year-round potential for solar power production at this site varies significantly across seasons, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Seasonal Solar Performance
Solar energy output at Edgewood fluctuates throughout the year, with summer being the most productive season. During summer months, solar panels can generate an impressive 6.51 kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows closely, with a daily output of 5.75 kWh/kW. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production, yielding 4.32 kWh/kW daily. Winter experiences the lowest output, with 3.07 kWh/kW per day.
Optimal Times for Solar Generation
The most ideal period for solar energy production in Edgewood spans from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, even during the less productive winter months, the panels continue to generate a meaningful amount of electricity.
Panel Installation Considerations
To maximize year-round solar energy production, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 32 degrees facing North. This optimal angle ensures the panels capture the most sunlight possible throughout the year, accounting for the Earth's elliptical orbit and Edgewood's specific latitude.
Environmental and Weather Factors
While Edgewood's climate is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some factors that could potentially impact solar panel efficiency:
- Coastal proximity: Being near the coast, salt spray could accumulate on panels, potentially reducing their efficiency over time.
- Bushfire smoke: During bushfire seasons, smoke and ash in the air might temporarily decrease solar output.
To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and maintenance should be implemented. Additionally, installing panels with high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials can help protect against salt spray damage. For areas prone to bushfires, considering a system with microinverters or power optimizers can help maintain overall system performance even if some panels are affected by smoke or ash.
Overall, despite some seasonal variations and environmental considerations, Edgewood presents a favorable location for solar PV energy generation, with ample opportunity to harness clean, renewable energy throughout the year.
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 Edgewood
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.7585, Longitude: 150.2163 (Edgewood, 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 Edgewood, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Edgewood, Australia (Lat/Long -35.7585, 150.2163) 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 Edgewood, 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 Edgewood, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° North in Summer | 41° North in Autumn | 51° North in Winter | 29° 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 Edgewood, 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 Edgewood, 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 Edgewood, Australia
The area around Edgewood, Australia, located at latitude -35.7585 and longitude 150.2163, is characterized by diverse and picturesque topography. This region, situated on the southeast coast of New South Wales, features a mix of coastal plains, rolling hills, and forested areas.
The landscape near Edgewood is primarily composed of gently undulating terrain, with some areas of steeper hills as you move inland. The coastline is marked by sandy beaches and rocky headlands, while the hinterland gradually rises towards the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. This transition creates a varied topography with elevations ranging from sea level to several hundred meters above sea level within a relatively short distance.
The area is also characterized by numerous creeks and small rivers that have carved shallow valleys through the landscape over time. These waterways contribute to the region's lush vegetation and create natural corridors through the terrain. The combination of coastal influence and varied elevation results in a mix of ecosystems, including coastal heathlands, eucalyptus forests, and pockets of temperate rainforest in protected gullies.
Regarding areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV (photovoltaic) installations, the ideal locations would be found slightly inland from the coast. The gently sloping plains and open areas away from the immediate coastline offer several advantages for solar energy production:
- These areas typically receive more consistent sunlight throughout the day, with less coastal fog or sea haze that might affect solar efficiency.
- The terrain is generally flatter, making it easier and more cost-effective to install large arrays of solar panels.
- There is often more available land that is not heavily forested or urbanized, providing ample space for extensive solar farms.
- The slightly elevated position of these inland areas can help avoid shadowing effects from nearby hills or vegetation.
Specific locations that might be suitable could include cleared agricultural land or former pastures in the valleys between the coastal hills and the more rugged inland areas. These sites would ideally have good road access for construction and maintenance, be relatively close to existing power infrastructure for grid connection, and have minimal impact on sensitive ecosystems or prime agricultural land.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar PV project would require detailed site-specific assessments, including environmental impact studies, solar radiation analysis, and consideration of local planning regulations before proceeding.
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: Tuesday 23rd of July 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.
