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Solar PV Analysis of Grenfell, Australia
The location in Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia is fairly good for generating solar energy throughout the year. However, the amount of energy you can generate varies by season.
In summer, you can expect to generate a lot of energy - around 8.24 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panels you have installed. This is because there are more daylight hours and the sun is usually shining brightly.
In autumn and spring, you'll still be able to generate a decent amount of energy (around 4.97 kWh/day in autumn and 6.20 kWh/day in spring). But it's not as much as in summer because there are fewer daylight hours and sometimes it might be cloudy.
Winter is the least ideal time for generating solar power at this location because there's less sunlight - only about 3.11 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should ideally be fixed at an angle that faces 30 degrees North.
As far as environmental or local factors go that could affect how much power your solar panels produce: if there are tall buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows over your panels during parts of the day, this could reduce their output significantly. The same goes for hills or other topographical features that block sunlight from reaching your panels.
There might also be weather-related issues like heavy cloud cover or dust storms which can reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels too.
To help ensure greater energy production from your solar installation despite these potential challenges: make sure to install them somewhere high up where they're less likely to be shaded by buildings/trees/hills etc., keep them clean so dust doesn't build up on them (which can block sunlight), and consider using tracking systems which automatically adjust panel angles throughout the day/year to maximise exposure to sunlight.
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 Grenfell
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.8927658, Longitude: 148.1537055 (Grenfell, 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 Grenfell, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Grenfell, Australia (Lat/Long -33.8927658, 148.1537055) 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 Grenfell, 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 Grenfell, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 49° 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 Grenfell, 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 Grenfell, 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 Grenfell, Australia
Grenfell, Australia is located in the South-Eastern region of the country within the state of New South Wales. The topography around Grenfell is characterized by a mix of flat plains and gently rolling hills, with some areas having more steep and rugged terrain. The area is mainly rural with a mix of farmland, natural vegetation and small settlements.
The climate in this region is temperate, with warm summers and cool winters.
For large-scale installations, flat or gently sloping areas would be most suitable to allow for maximum exposure. Areas that are free from excessive shading (such as from trees or buildings) would also be preferable.
In terms of specific locations near Grenfell that might be suited to large-scale installations:
1. Farmland: There are several expansive farmlands around Grenfell that could potentially host large-scale farms.
2. Unused land: Any unused or barren land in the vicinity could also be considered for setting up a farm.
3. Industrial zones: Industrial zones on the outskirts could also accommodate such installations without disrupting residential areas.
However, any decision about specific sites would need to take into account factors like local planning regulations, proximity to electricity grid connections and potential environmental impacts among others.
Always remember that while geographical location plays an important role in determining suitability for an installation; economic factors such as cost-benefit analysis including set-up costs vs expected return on investment should also be considered critically before making any decisions about installing at any location.
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: Saturday 17th of February 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.
