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Solar PV Analysis of Longford, Australia
Longford, Tasmania in Australia can generate a decent amount of energy from solar panels throughout the year. However, it's not perfect all year round. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels depends on the time of year and how much sunlight there is.
During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.43 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This is when you'll get the most energy because there's a lot of sunlight.
In autumn, that number drops to about 3.71 kWh/day per kW because there's less sunlight as we move away from summer.
Winter sees an even bigger drop to around 2.07 kWh/day per kW due to shorter days and less intense sun.
In spring things start looking up again with about 5.52 kWh/day per kW as we move closer towards summer and more sunlight.
To maximize your total yearly solar production at this location, it's recommended that your fixed panel installation be tilted at an angle of 36 degrees facing North.
As for environmental or other local factors that could affect solar production in Longford, Tasmania - weather would be significant factor here as it has a temperate climate with relatively high rainfall throughout the year which could potentially reduce the amount of direct sunlight reaching the panels especially during winter months and periods with heavy cloud cover or foggy conditions.
To ensure greater energy production despite these factors, one preventative measure could be installing tracking systems on your solar panels so they follow the sun across the sky which maximizes their exposure to direct sunlight throughout day time hours regardless of season or weather condition; another measure could be regular cleaning and maintenance checks on your system ensuring no debris or dirt is blocking any part of your panel surface reducing its efficiency levels over time.
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 Longford
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -41.5948375, Longitude: 147.1221159 (Longford, 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 36° North in Longford, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Longford, Australia (Lat/Long -41.5948375, 147.1221159) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 36° 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 Longford, 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 Longford, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 36° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° North in Summer | 46° North in Autumn | 57° North in Winter | 34° 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 Longford, 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 Longford, 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 Longford, Australia
Longford, Australia is located in the northern region of Tasmania. The topography around Longford is quite diverse, with a mix of flat plains and gentle rolling hills. The area is predominantly rural with extensive farmland and some forested areas.
The climate in Longford typically includes warm summers and mild to cool winters, which could potentially make it suitable for solar PV installations. However, Tasmania as a whole does not receive as much sunlight on average compared to other parts of Australia due to its southern latitude.
In terms of specific areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, flat open spaces with minimal shading would be ideal. This could include unused farmland or other open rural spaces that are not currently being used for agriculture or other purposes.
However, it's important to note that the feasibility of large-scale solar projects also depends on factors like local planning regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission and access roads for construction and maintenance activities - all these factors should be taken into consideration when identifying potential sites.
Furthermore, given Tasmania's significant hydroelectric resources (which already provide a substantial amount of renewable energy), the relative costs and benefits of large-scale solar versus other renewable options would need careful evaluation.
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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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.
