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Solar PV Analysis of Geelong, Australia
The location at Geelong, Victoria, Australia is generally good for generating solar energy throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of energy that can be generated via solar panels varies with the seasons. In summer, you can expect about 7.67 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This decreases to about 3.71 kWh/day in autumn and even further to around 2.50 kWh/day in winter, before increasing again to around 6.01 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the most ideal times of year to generate solar energy at this location are during the summer and spring months when daylight hours are longer and sunlight is more intense.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 33 degrees towards the North will help maximise your total year-round production from your solar power system.
As for factors that could potentially hamper solar production at this location - Geelong has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year which could occasionally reduce sunlight exposure on some days but it's not significant enough to majorly affect annual production levels.
The area also experiences occasional strong winds due to its coastal position which could pose a potential risk if panels aren't securely installed or maintained properly over time - so ensuring sturdy installation and regular maintenance checks would be crucial here.
In terms of topography or other local environmental factors; Geelong is largely flat with no major mountain ranges obstructing sunlight so there shouldn't be any significant issues there either.
In summary; while weather conditions might slightly impede full capacity on some days - overall if you install your panels correctly and maintain them well, you should still get good performance from a solar PV system based in Geelong all through out 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 Geelong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.1492994, Longitude: 144.3598426 (Geelong, 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 Geelong, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Geelong, Australia (Lat/Long -38.1492994, 144.3598426) 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 Geelong, 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 Geelong, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° 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 Geelong, 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 Geelong, 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 Geelong, Australia
Geelong, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is characterized by a mix of urban areas, farmland, and coastal landscapes. The topography around Geelong varies from flat to gently undulating plains with some low hills.
The region has a moderate climate with relatively high solar irradiation levels making it suitable for solar energy production. There are several large open spaces particularly towards the north and west of Geelong which could be potential sites for large-scale solar PV installations.
Areas such as Lara, Little River to the north and Meredith to the northwest have expanses of relatively flat land that could be suitable for large-scale solar farms. These areas are mainly used for farming activities currently but they receive good sunlight throughout the year which makes them potentially ideal locations.
However, any development would need to consider factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure for grid connection, potential impacts on local flora and fauna, soil conditions (for installing ground-mounted systems), visual impact on landscape etc., in addition to sunlight availability.
In conclusion, while there are potential sites around Geelong that seem well-suited geographically and climatically for large-scale solar PV installations; detailed feasibility studies considering all relevant factors would be needed before any specific site can be deemed most suited.
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: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
