.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Innisfail, Australia
Innisfail, Queensland, Australia is a good location for solar energy production because it receives consistent sunlight throughout the year. This consistency is due to its location in the Tropics where there are minimal changes in daylight hours between seasons. However, different seasons will yield varying amounts of energy.
For instance, you can expect to get more energy from your solar panels during Summer and Spring when they can produce about 6.33 and 6.91 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day respectively for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. During Autumn and Winter, the production drops slightly to around 5.23 and 4.46 kWh/day per kW respectively.
The best time of year to generate solar at this location would be during Spring when the daily output is highest at approximately 6.91 kWh/day per kW.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, it's recommended that they be installed at an angle tilted 15 degrees North. This allows them to capture as much sunlight as possible over the course of a day throughout different seasons.
However, there could be potential challenges that might affect your solar panel's performance here too - environmental factors like heavy rainfall or cyclones which are common in tropical regions like Innisfail could damage your panels or reduce their efficiency by blocking sunlight with clouds or debris.
To protect against these issues and ensure greater energy production from your panels:
1) Regularly clean them: Ensuring that debris doesn’t accumulate on your panels will help maintain their effectiveness.
2) Install protective measures: Consider installing protective covers over your panels or using sturdy mounting systems which can withstand high winds.
3) Regular maintenance: Regular check-ups by professionals can help detect any potential issues early on before they become big problems.
4) Backup system: Having a backup power system such as batteries would ensure uninterrupted power supply even during bad weather.
In conclusion, while Innisfail is a good location for solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight, it's important to take into account the potential challenges and take necessary measures to protect your investment.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 Innisfail
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -17.5227345, Longitude: 146.0278075 (Innisfail, 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 15° North in Innisfail, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Innisfail, Australia (Lat/Long -17.5227345, 146.0278075) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° 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 Innisfail, 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 Innisfail, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 23° North in Autumn | 33° North in Winter | 11° 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 Innisfail, 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 Innisfail, 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 Innisfail, Australia
Innisfail is located in the Far North Queensland region of Australia. It is characterized by a coastal plain with some hilly areas, surrounded by tropical rainforests and agricultural lands. The area also has several rivers and creeks flowing through it, including the Johnstone River.
The topography around Innisfail is relatively flat to gently undulating which could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. However, as Innisfail is located in a high rainfall area with frequent cloud cover due to its tropical climate, this may impact the efficiency of solar energy generation.
Areas that would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installation are typically those that have high levels of direct sunlight exposure throughout the year, low levels of precipitation and cloud cover, and relatively flat land for easy installation. Therefore, more inland or western regions away from the coast might prove to be more suitable for such installations.
However, any decision on setting up large-scale solar PV should also consider other factors like proximity to power grids or infrastructure for power transmission/distribution as well as potential environmental impacts on local flora/fauna or agricultural activities.
It's always recommended to conduct a detailed feasibility study considering all these factors before deciding on specific locations for installing large scale Solar PV systems.
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
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
