Lewiston, South Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The seasonal variations in electricity output provide insights into the effectiveness of solar installations throughout the year.

Seasonal Performance

Summer stands out as the peak season for solar energy production, with an impressive 8.64kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-most productive season, generating 6.56kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate output of 4.74kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.16kWh/day.

Optimal Generation Periods

The most ideal times for solar energy generation in Lewiston are during the summer months, typically from December to February, when daylight hours are longest and solar irradiance is at its peak. Spring (September to November) also offers excellent conditions for solar production. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region still maintains a reasonable level of solar potential year-round.

Panel Installation Considerations

For fixed panel installations in Lewiston, the optimal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing North. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and solar elevation angles, taking into account the Earth's elliptical orbit and daily PV potential.

Environmental Factors and Mitigation

While Lewiston generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust storms: The region can experience occasional dust storms, which may temporarily reduce panel efficiency. Regular cleaning and maintenance can mitigate this issue.
• High temperatures: Summer heat waves can slightly decrease panel efficiency. Ensuring proper ventilation and using heat-resistant components can help maintain optimal performance.

By addressing these factors during installation and maintenance, solar PV systems in Lewiston can achieve consistent and efficient energy production 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 Lewiston

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.608, Longitude: 138.596 (Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lewiston, Australia (Lat/Long -34.608, 138.596) 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 Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, Australia

The area surrounding Lewiston, Australia, located at latitude -34.608 and longitude 138.596, is characterized by a diverse and gently undulating landscape. This region, situated in South Australia, north of Adelaide, features a mix of agricultural plains and low-lying hills. The topography of Lewiston and its surrounding areas is primarily composed of flat to gently rolling terrain. To the east, the landscape gradually rises towards the Mount Lofty Ranges, which form a backdrop to the region. These ranges, while not particularly high, provide some variation in elevation and create picturesque views from certain vantage points. To the west of Lewiston, the land flattens out considerably, transitioning into the expansive Adelaide Plains. This area is known for its fertile soil and has been extensively used for agriculture, particularly for growing crops and grazing livestock. The plains extend towards the coast, where they meet the Gulf St Vincent.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms in this region would likely be found on the Adelaide Plains, west and northwest of Lewiston. These areas offer several advantages for solar PV development: Firstly, the relatively flat terrain of the plains provides ample space for large arrays of solar panels. The lack of significant elevation changes means that installation and maintenance of the panels would be more straightforward and cost-effective. Secondly, this region experiences a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The abundance of sunny days throughout the year makes it an excellent location for harvesting solar energy. Additionally, the open nature of the plains means there are fewer obstacles such as tall trees or buildings that could cast shadows on the solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight. It's worth noting that while these areas may be suitable from a topographical and climate perspective, any large-scale solar PV project would need to carefully consider other factors. These include proximity to existing electrical infrastructure, land use regulations, environmental impact assessments, and the interests of local communities and agricultural stakeholders.

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.