Mannum, South Australia is a location with considerable potential for solar energy generation, though with notable seasonal variations. Situated in the Southern Sub Tropics at coordinates -34.9125, 139.3031, this Murray River town experiences significant differences in solar production throughout the year.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Mannum perform exceptionally well during summer months, generating an impressive 8.68kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring also offers strong production at 6.47kWh/day per kW. Performance decreases substantially in autumn (4.67kWh/day) and reaches its lowest point in winter (3.13kWh/day).

This pattern creates a more than 2.5-fold difference between peak summer and minimum winter production, which is typical for locations in the southern regions of Australia. The substantial summer-to-winter variation means residents should plan their energy needs accordingly, potentially requiring alternative energy sources or storage solutions during winter months.

Optimal Installation Angle

For fixed solar panel installations in Mannum, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round energy production is 30 degrees facing North. This angle represents the mathematically optimized position that balances seasonal sun angles to capture the most solar energy across the entire year.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Mannum:

• Dust and pollen accumulation: Being in a rural agricultural region, panels can accumulate dust and pollen that reduce efficiency. Regular cleaning schedules are recommended, particularly during dry periods.
• Morning fog from the Murray River: Mannum's riverside location can lead to morning fog, particularly in autumn and winter, temporarily reducing morning solar production. This is unavoidable but factored into the seasonal averages.
• Occasional bushfire smoke: During bushfire season, atmospheric smoke can reduce solar efficiency. Installing quality inverters that perform well in lower light conditions can help mitigate this impact.

To maximize production in this location, consider installing panels with self-cleaning surfaces, implementing automated cleaning systems for larger installations, and ensuring adequate spacing between panel rows to prevent inter-row shading, especially during winter when sun angles are lower.

Overall, Mannum offers excellent conditions for solar energy production, particularly from late spring through early autumn, making it a worthwhile investment for those looking to harness renewable energy in South Australia.

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 Mannum

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.9125, Longitude: 139.3031 (Mannum, 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 Mannum, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mannum, Australia (Lat/Long -34.9125, 139.3031) 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 Mannum, 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 Mannum, 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 Mannum, 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 Mannum, 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 Mannum, Australia

The topography surrounding Mannum, Australia, located at the geographical coordinates of -34.9125, 139.3031, is characterized predominantly by the Murray River system and its associated floodplains. Mannum sits on the western bank of the Murray River, which forms the most significant geographical feature of the region. The landscape is generally flat to gently undulating, with the river valley cutting through what would otherwise be a relatively level terrain. The Murray River has carved a wide valley through this area, creating distinct riverine environments with adjacent low-lying floodplains that periodically become inundated during high river events. These floodplains contrast with the slightly elevated terraces and low hills that extend away from the immediate river corridor. The elevation in the Mannum area is relatively modest, typically ranging between 20 to 50 meters above sea level.

Surrounding Landscape Features

Moving west from Mannum, the landscape gradually rises into the eastern foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges. These hills represent a more undulating topography compared to the river valley, with some areas featuring slopes and elevated positions that offer panoramic views of the river and surrounding plains. The transition between the river valley and these hills creates a diverse landscape with varying aspects and gradients. To the east of the Murray River lies the Murray Mallee region, characterized by extensive plains with subtle undulations. This area features predominantly open terrain with sparse native vegetation and agricultural development. The soils in this region tend to be sandy to loamy, reflecting the area's semi-arid conditions.

Potential Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic installations, the Murray Mallee region east of Mannum presents particularly favorable conditions. This area offers several advantageous characteristics for solar energy development: The open, flat terrain of the Mallee plains provides ideal conditions for large-scale solar arrays, minimizing construction challenges and maximizing exposure to sunlight throughout the day. These extensive plains offer ample space for substantial installations without significant topographical constraints. The semi-arid climate of this region means cloud cover is generally minimal, enhancing solar radiation reception. The relatively low rainfall further contributes to optimal conditions for solar energy capture. Areas slightly elevated above the river floodplains would be particularly suitable, as they avoid potential flooding issues while still maintaining the favorable flat aspect for solar panel installation. These locations combine the benefits of the open Mallee landscape with practical safety considerations. The western side of Mannum, where the land rises toward the Mount Lofty Ranges foothills, presents a more complex proposition. While some locations might offer good solar exposure, the varying slopes and aspects would require more careful site selection. North-facing gentle slopes in this area could be advantageous for solar collection, but the more undulating nature of the terrain might limit the scale of potential installations. Areas immediately adjacent to the Murray River, particularly the floodplains, would generally be less suitable for large-scale solar development due to periodic flooding risks and the ecological sensitivity of these riverine environments. Additionally, these areas often have higher agricultural value and may face more stringent development restrictions. In summary, the most promising locations for large-scale solar PV development near Mannum would be the open, elevated plains of the Murray Mallee to the east and northeast of the town, where the combination of flat terrain, minimal flooding risk, and clear skies creates optimal conditions for solar energy generation.

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.