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Solar PV Analysis of Mollymook, Australia
Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia is a decent place for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of solar energy you can generate varies throughout the year, with more being produced in the warmer months.
In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels can produce about 6.53 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This drops to around 4.32 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to about 3.07 kWh/day in winter. In spring, it increases back up to around 5.75 kWh/day.
So if you're planning on generating solar power at this location, the best time would be during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available.
To get the most out of your solar panels all year round at this location, they should be tilted at an angle of 32 degrees facing North. This is because it maximizes exposure to the sun's rays throughout different times of the day and different seasons.
As for potential issues that might affect your ability to generate solar power here: Mollymook is located near the coast which means salt spray could potentially damage or reduce efficiency of your panels over time; regular cleaning can help prevent this issue though.
The area also experiences some cloud cover particularly during winter which could reduce sunlight exposure; unfortunately there's not much that can be done about this but it's worth noting that even on cloudy days some electricity will still be generated from diffuse sunlight.
Overall though, these aren't significant enough issues to deter one from installing a system here as long as preventative measures like regular maintenance are taken care off.
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 Mollymook
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.3406964, Longitude: 150.4705662 (Mollymook, 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 32° North in Mollymook, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mollymook, Australia (Lat/Long -35.3406964, 150.4705662) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 32° 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 Mollymook, 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 Mollymook, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 32° 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 | 41° North in Autumn | 50° North in Winter | 29° 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 Mollymook, 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 Mollymook, 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 Mollymook, Australia
Mollymook is located on the southeastern coast of Australia, in the state of New South Wales. The topography of this region is characterized by a mixture of coastal plains and hilly terrain. The area around Mollymook includes beaches, rolling hills, and some forested areas.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping terrains are usually most suitable as they require less site preparation and are easier for installation. Areas with high solar irradiation levels are also beneficial for solar energy production.
Considering these factors, the coastal plains near Mollymook could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations due to their relatively flat terrain. However, it's important to note that proximity to residential areas or protected natural sites might limit possibilities.
Inland regions away from the coast might also be potential sites due to potentially higher sun exposure (less cloud cover) and availability of larger land parcels for such projects.
However, a detailed feasibility study considering factors like local climate data (solar irradiation), land use restrictions, grid connectivity etc would need to be conducted before deciding on any potential site for large scale Solar PV installation.
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.
