Solar Energy Production in Kandos, New South Wales

Kandos, located in the Southern Sub Tropics of New South Wales, Australia, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production that are important to understand when considering a solar installation. The highest energy output occurs during summer, with an impressive 7.82kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, generating 6.05kWh/day. Energy production decreases considerably in autumn to 4.89kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest output period with just 3.28kWh/day. This seasonal pattern means that Kandos residents can expect more than twice the daily energy production in summer compared to winter. The substantial difference highlights the importance of properly sizing a system to meet year-round energy needs, especially during the less productive winter months.

Optimal Panel Installation

For fixed solar panel installations in Kandos, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 29 degrees facing North. This specific angle has been calculated to optimize solar capture across all seasons, taking into account the location's latitude and seasonal sun patterns.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially affect solar production in Kandos:

• Dust accumulation from the region's dry periods can reduce panel efficiency by creating a film that blocks sunlight
• Occasional bushfire smoke during summer months may temporarily diminish solar radiation reaching panels
• Winter frost in the cooler months can temporarily affect morning production until it melts

To mitigate these challenges, solar installations in Kandos should incorporate regular cleaning schedules, particularly after extended dry periods. Slightly increasing the panel tilt beyond the optimal 29 degrees can help with natural cleaning during rainfall events. Additionally, using high-quality panels with anti-soiling glass coatings can minimize dust accumulation and improve performance during less-than-ideal conditions. The significant seasonal variation also makes Kandos a good candidate for considering battery storage systems, which would allow excess summer production to help offset the lower winter yields, creating a more balanced energy supply 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 Kandos

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -32.863, Longitude: 149.9769 (Kandos, 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 29° North in Kandos, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Kandos, Australia (Lat/Long -32.863, 149.9769) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Kandos, 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 Kandos, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
17° North in Summer	38° North in Autumn	48° North in Winter	27° 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 Kandos, 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 Kandos, 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 Kandos, Australia

The topography surrounding Kandos, Australia presents a varied and dramatic landscape characterized by significant elevation changes and diverse terrain features. Kandos itself is situated in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, nestled between the Wollemi National Park to the east and agricultural plains to the west. The town sits at approximately 650 meters above sea level, placing it in a transitional zone between higher mountain ranges and lower valleys. To the east of Kandos rise the formidable sandstone escarpments of the Great Dividing Range, with the rugged terrain of Wollemi National Park creating steep cliffs and deeply incised valleys. These elevated areas reach heights exceeding 1,000 meters in places, forming a striking backdrop to the region. The eastern topography is dominated by densely forested slopes with limited flat terrain.

Surrounding Landscape Features

Westward from Kandos, the landscape gradually transitions to more gently undulating terrain, with rolling hills giving way to broader valleys and plains. This western aspect offers more extensive flat to gently sloping land, particularly in the direction of Mudgee. The Cudgegong River valley creates a notable topographic feature, carving a path through the otherwise hilly terrain. North of Kandos stands the distinctive Coomber Melon Mountain, while other notable elevated features in the vicinity include Kandos Tops and Mount Brace. These higher points contribute to the region's complex topography, creating microclimates and affecting local weather patterns. The geological foundation of the area consists primarily of sedimentary rock formations, including sandstone and shale, with some areas showing evidence of past volcanic activity. This varied geological history has resulted in diverse soil types across the region.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the areas west and northwest of Kandos offer the most promising topographic conditions. These regions feature: More extensive tracts of relatively flat or gently sloping terrain, which reduces the costs and complications associated with construction on steep or uneven ground. The gradual slopes also minimize issues with shading between solar panel rows. Lower elevations compared to the eastern mountains, potentially reducing cloud cover and fog that can accumulate against mountain ranges. The western plains generally experience clearer sky conditions favorable for solar generation. Proximity to existing transportation infrastructure, including roads that connect to larger centers like Mudgee, facilitating construction access and ongoing maintenance. The agricultural lands stretching toward Mudgee and Rylstone present particularly suitable topography for solar development. These areas combine favorable terrain with proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, which is crucial for connecting new generation capacity to the grid. Areas to avoid would include the steeper eastern slopes toward Wollemi National Park, where challenging terrain would significantly increase construction costs and environmental impacts. Similarly, the immediate river valleys, particularly along the Cudgegong River, would be less suitable due to potential flooding concerns and higher value for agricultural purposes. The relatively open terrain to the west also offers better protection from morning shadowing that would occur on west-facing slopes of the eastern mountains, allowing for maximum solar exposure throughout the day. These western plains represent the optimal balance of favorable topography, practical accessibility, and potential for grid connection for large-scale solar PV development near Kandos.

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.