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Solar PV Analysis of Howlong, Australia
The location at Howlong, New South Wales, Australia is fairly good for generating energy through solar PV. This is because it receives a decent amount of sunlight throughout the year. However, the effectiveness of solar energy production changes with each season.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 8.38kWh per day for each kW of installed solar - this is when the panels will be most productive due to longer daylight hours and higher sun intensity. Spring also offers good productivity with around 6.30kWh per day for each kW installed.
However, during autumn and winter, the productivity decreases significantly due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun intensity; you can expect around 4.72kWh/day in autumn and only about 2.91kWh/day in winter.
For best results year-round at this location, your fixed panel installation should be tilted at an angle of approximately 31 degrees towards North - this maximizes exposure to sunlight throughout different times of the year.
As far as environmental or local factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location are concerned – there aren't any significant ones that come to mind immediately without more specific details about the site itself (like if it's heavily shaded by trees or buildings). But generally speaking:
- Weather: Frequent cloudy or rainy days would reduce sunlight exposure.
- Topography: If there are hills/mountains casting shadows over your panels during parts of the day.
- Local structures: Buildings or trees may also cast shadows on your panels.
To deal with these potential issues:
1) Choose a spot that has minimal shading throughout all times of day/year for installing your panels.
2) Regularly maintain/clean your panels so they're free from dust/dirt which could reduce their efficiency.
3) Consider investing in a tracking system that moves your panels so they're always facing directly towards the sun (though these systems can be expensive).
Remember that while these factors could potentially reduce your solar production, they're unlikely to completely prevent it. With the right setup and maintenance, Howlong still has good potential for solar energy generation.
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 Howlong
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.9811249, Longitude: 146.6378977 (Howlong, 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 31° North in Howlong, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Howlong, Australia (Lat/Long -35.9811249, 146.6378977) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Howlong, 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 Howlong, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 Howlong, 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 Howlong, 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 Howlong, Australia
Howlong, Australia is located in the state of New South Wales and is characterized by relatively flat terrain with gentle slopes. The region experiences a warm and temperate climate, which makes it suitable for solar energy generation.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, areas with open, flat land would be most suitable as they provide maximum exposure to sunlight and ease of installation. In the vicinity of Howlong, there are several such areas including farmlands or unused industrial lands that could potentially be used for this purpose.
The area also has a good amount of sunlight throughout the year which makes it even more ideal for solar power generation. However, specific site selection would depend on various other factors like proximity to transmission lines, land cost & availability etc., and would require detailed feasibility studies.
It's also important to note that any proposal for large-scale solar PV installations should consider potential environmental impacts and community attitudes towards such projects in the region.
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!
Citation Guide
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.
