Goongerah, Victoria, Australia, located at latitude -37.3404 and longitude 148.6918, presents varying potential for solar energy generation throughout the year. This location in the Southern Temperate Zone experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar output, which impacts the overall efficiency of solar PV systems.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Summer stands out as the most productive season for solar energy in Goongerah, with an impressive daily output of 6.77 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 5.26 kWh/day. Autumn sees a noticeable decrease in production at 3.90 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 2.58 kWh/day.

These figures indicate that solar energy generation in Goongerah is most effective during the warmer months, particularly from late spring through early autumn. This period offers longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight, maximizing the potential of solar PV systems.

Optimal Panel Installation

To achieve the best year-round solar production in Goongerah, fixed solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing North. This orientation helps capture the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the year, balancing the seasonal variations in the sun's position.

Environmental Considerations

While Goongerah's location is generally favorable for solar energy production, there are some environmental factors to consider. The area is known for its dense forests, which could potentially cast shadows on solar panels, especially during winter when the sun's angle is lower. To mitigate this, careful site selection is crucial, preferably choosing open areas with minimal tree coverage to the north.

Additionally, the region can experience bushfires during hot, dry summers. While not directly impacting solar production, the smoke and ash from these events could temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance of solar panels can help minimize this impact.

Weather-Related Challenges

Goongerah's climate includes occasional heavy rainfall and storms, particularly during winter and spring. While these events are typically short-lived, they can temporarily reduce solar output. Installing high-quality, weather-resistant panels and ensuring proper drainage around the installation site can help maintain optimal performance during wet weather.

In conclusion, while Goongerah faces some challenges for solar energy production, particularly during winter months, its overall potential remains promising. With proper planning, optimal panel orientation, and regular maintenance, solar PV systems can effectively harness the abundant sunlight available, especially during the warmer seasons.

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 Goongerah

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -37.3404, Longitude: 148.6918 (Goongerah, 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 Goongerah, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Goongerah, Australia (Lat/Long -37.3404, 148.6918) 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 Goongerah, 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 Goongerah, 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
21° North in Summer	42° North in Autumn	52° 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 Goongerah, 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 Goongerah, Australia.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Goongerah, Australia

The topography around Goongerah, Australia, is characterized by a diverse and rugged landscape typical of the East Gippsland region in Victoria. Situated in a remote area of the state, Goongerah is surrounded by dense forests, rolling hills, and steep valleys. The terrain is predominantly hilly, with elevations ranging from around 200 to 600 meters above sea level. The area is part of the Great Dividing Range, which runs along Australia's eastern coast. As a result, the landscape features a mix of ridges, gullies, and plateaus. The Brodribb River and its tributaries wind through the region, carving out valleys and creating natural boundaries between the hills and mountains. The vegetation in the area is primarily composed of eucalyptus forests, with pockets of rainforest in the more sheltered gullies and along watercourses. This dense forest cover contributes to the area's reputation as a biodiversity hotspot and provides habitat for numerous native species.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account. The ideal location for solar farms typically requires relatively flat terrain, good sun exposure, and proximity to existing infrastructure. In the vicinity of Goongerah, the most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV would likely be found on the less forested, gently sloping hillsides or plateaus. These areas would offer better sun exposure compared to the densely forested valleys. However, it's important to note that the overall rugged nature of the landscape and the extensive forest cover may present challenges for large-scale solar development in the immediate vicinity. Areas to the north and west of Goongerah, where the terrain becomes slightly less mountainous and more open, might offer more promising locations for solar PV installations. These regions, while still hilly, tend to have larger cleared areas that could potentially accommodate solar farms. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar development in this region would need to carefully consider environmental impacts, given the area's ecological significance. Additionally, the remoteness of the location may present challenges in terms of grid connection and infrastructure development, which are crucial factors in the feasibility of large-scale solar projects.

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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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.