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Solar PV Analysis of Lobethal, Australia
In simple terms, Lobethal in South Australia is a decent location for generating electricity using solar panels. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels depends on the amount of sunlight they receive, which varies throughout the year. In summer, when the days are longest and sunniest, you can expect to generate about 8.62 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This decreases to 4.80 kWh/day in autumn and drops further to 3.23 kWh/day in winter when days are shorter and less sunny. However, it increases again to 6.58 kWh/day in spring as the days start getting longer.
The best time of year for generating solar power at this location is definitely summer due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight but spring also provides a good amount of energy production.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 30 degrees towards North would maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the year thus increasing overall energy production.
As far as environmental or local factors that could affect solar power generation here go- there aren't any major ones that stand out significantly but it's always good practice when installing your panels to ensure they're not shaded by trees or buildings as this will reduce their efficiency.
Weather conditions such as heavy cloud cover or fog might temporarily reduce output but these are usually short-term issues that don't significantly impact long-term performance.
As with any location though, regular cleaning and maintenance will help keep your system performing at its best by preventing dust build-up on the panel surface which can block sunlight.
In conclusion: while Lobethal may not provide optimal conditions all year round due its seasonal variations in sunshine hours; with careful installation considerations such as correct tilt angle and placement away from shade sources along with regular maintenance- it still offers a solid opportunity for solar power generation.
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 Lobethal
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.9043526, Longitude: 138.8746091 (Lobethal, 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 Lobethal, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Lobethal, Australia (Lat/Long -34.9043526, 138.8746091) 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 Lobethal, 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 Lobethal, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 50° 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 Lobethal, 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 Lobethal, 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 Lobethal, Australia
Lobethal is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The topography of this area is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and some flat areas. It's a rural area with a mix of farmland, vineyards, and natural bushland.
The suitability for large-scale solar PV installations would depend on several factors including sunlight exposure, land availability and slope of the terrain. Generally speaking, flat or gently sloping areas are more suitable for solar farms as they allow for easier installation and maintenance.
Areas to the east of Lobethal towards Mount Torrens could potentially be suitable due to relatively flatter terrains compared to the hilly west side. However, any proposed site would need to be carefully assessed in terms of its environmental impact given that this region has significant natural vegetation.
Furthermore, Adelaide Hills does receive less sunlight compared to other parts in South Australia such as Port Augusta or Roxby Downs which are known for their high solar irradiance levels making them ideal locations for large scale solar projects. Therefore it may be more feasible from an economic standpoint to consider these locations instead if we're talking about large-scale projects specifically.
It should also be noted that any development would need approval from local councils and must comply with local planning regulations which might limit opportunities in certain areas.
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.
