Grange, South Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics at latitude -34.9 and longitude 138.4833, provides a reasonably good location for solar PV energy generation, though with significant seasonal variation. The location experiences strong solar production in summer months, with moderate to lower output during the transitional seasons and notably reduced generation during winter.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The energy output from solar PV systems in Grange varies considerably throughout the year. During summer, production reaches its peak at 8.64kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring offers the second-best performance with 6.56kWh/day, followed by autumn with 4.74kWh/day. Winter shows the lowest output at just 3.16kWh/day per installed kilowatt.

This seasonal pattern creates a more than 2.7-fold difference between the best and worst producing seasons, with summer generating nearly three times the electricity of winter months. This variation is typical for locations in the southern hemisphere at this latitude.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed panel installations in Grange, the ideal angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing North. This tilt angle represents the mathematically optimal position to capture the most solar energy across all seasons, balancing the lower winter sun angles with the higher summer sun position.

Environmental and Weather Considerations

Several local factors in Grange could potentially affect solar production:

• Coastal salt spray may accelerate corrosion of mounting hardware and panel frames, as Grange is located close to Gulf St Vincent.
• Morning coastal fog or sea mist can occasionally reduce early day production, particularly in autumn and winter.
• Adelaide's occasional dust storms could temporarily decrease panel efficiency by creating a thin layer of dust on panels.
• Hot summer days (sometimes exceeding 40°C) can slightly reduce panel efficiency, as solar panels typically lose efficiency when operating at high temperatures.

Preventative Measures

To maximize solar production despite these factors, several preventative measures can be implemented:

• Use marine-grade mounting hardware and corrosion-resistant components to combat salt air effects.
• Install panels with self-cleaning glass or apply hydrophobic coatings to reduce dust accumulation.
• Ensure adequate airflow beneath panels to reduce temperature-related efficiency losses during hot summer days.
• Consider a slight adjustment from the mathematically optimal angle if local shading or wind patterns suggest benefits from a modified orientation.
• Implement a seasonal cleaning schedule, particularly before summer to maximize production during high-output months.

Overall, Grange provides good conditions for solar PV generation, with excellent summer and spring production compensating somewhat for the reduced winter output. With proper installation considerations addressing the coastal environment, a solar PV system in this location can provide substantial renewable energy throughout the year.

Note: The Southern Sub Tropics extend from -23.5° latitude South down to -35° 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 Grange

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.9, Longitude: 138.4833 (Grange, 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 30° North in Grange, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grange, Australia (Lat/Long -34.9, 138.4833) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Grange, 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 Grange, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
19° North in Summer	39° North in Autumn	50° North in Winter	28° 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 Grange, 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 Grange, 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 Grange, Australia

The topography around Grange, Australia, located at approximately -34.9° latitude and 138.4833° longitude, is characterized by coastal lowlands that gradually transition into gentle hills as one moves eastward. Grange itself sits on the eastern shores of Gulf St Vincent, featuring relatively flat terrain with minimal elevation changes near the immediate coastline. This coastal plain is part of the broader Adelaide Plains, which forms a significant flat expanse between the Mount Lofty Ranges to the east and the gulf waters to the west. As distance increases from the shoreline, the landscape begins to rise gradually toward the Mount Lofty Ranges. These ranges represent the most significant topographical feature in the vicinity, creating a natural boundary between the coastal plains and the interior regions. The western slopes of these ranges offer varying gradients, with some areas featuring gentle inclines while others present more pronounced elevation changes.

Solar PV Suitability in the Region

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, several nearby areas present favorable conditions based on topographical considerations. The flat expanses of the Adelaide Plains extending north and northeast from Grange offer ideal terrain for solar farms due to their minimal shading issues and ease of construction. These level areas allow for efficient arrangement of solar panels without requiring significant earth-moving operations. The western-facing slopes of the Mount Lofty Ranges also merit consideration for solar development. These areas benefit from favorable orientation toward afternoon sun exposure while still maintaining reasonably gentle gradients in many sections. However, developers would need to carefully select specific locations to avoid steeper pitches that could complicate construction and maintenance. Areas to the north of Grange, extending toward Virginia and Two Wells, feature extensive agricultural plains with minimal topographical barriers. These flat, open spaces would be particularly conducive to large-scale solar installations, offering expansive areas with consistent elevation and minimal natural obstructions. The region's topography also influences microclimate conditions. The Mount Lofty Ranges create a partial barrier effect that can modify local weather patterns, potentially reducing cloud cover over certain areas during specific seasons. This topographical influence on local climate conditions should be factored into site selection for optimal solar energy capture. When considering large-scale solar development in the region, areas that combine favorable topography with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure would be most practical. The relatively developed nature of the greater Adelaide region means that transmission infrastructure is more readily available than in remote locations, potentially reducing connection costs for new solar installations.

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.