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Solar PV Analysis of Morwell, Australia
Morwell, Victoria, Australia is a decent location for year-round solar energy production. However, the effectiveness varies with each season due to changes in sunlight exposure.
During summer, the solar panels would be most productive as they can generate around 7.09 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. Spring is also good with 5.57 kWh/day per kW of installed solar capacity.
Autumn and winter see a drop in productivity due to less sunlight; you can expect about 3.64 kWh/day per kW during autumn and only 2.41 kWh/day per kW during winter.
To maximize year-round energy production from your solar panels at this location, it's best to tilt them at an angle of 33 degrees towards the North.
There could be local factors that might affect the efficiency of your solar panels in Morwell though:
1) Weather: Morwell experiences regular rainfall throughout the year which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days.
2) Topography: If there are tall structures or trees around that cast shadows on your panels, this could also reduce their productivity.
3) Dust and Dirt: Accumulation of dust or dirt on your panels can block sunlight and reduce their efficiency over time.
To ensure greater energy production despite these challenges:
1) Install your panels in an area where they're least likely to be shaded by buildings or trees.
2) Regularly clean off any dust or dirt from your panels so they can effectively absorb as much sunlight as possible.
3) Consider using a tracking system that moves your panels to follow the sun across the sky for maximum exposure throughout the day – especially helpful during autumn and winter when daylight hours are fewer.
4) You might want to consider installing additional capacity ahead of time if you anticipate needing more power during autumn/winter months when generation is lower.
Remember though, these are just preventative measures. The actual performance of your solar panels will still largely depend on the amount of sunlight they receive, which is subject to weather and seasonal changes.
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 Morwell
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.2287588, Longitude: 146.4110866 (Morwell, 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 33° North in Morwell, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Morwell, Australia (Lat/Long -38.2287588, 146.4110866) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Morwell, 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 Morwell, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Morwell, 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 Morwell, 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 Morwell, Australia
Morwell, Australia is located in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria. The topography of this area is characterized by flat plains and low-lying areas with some rolling hills. The region is known for its extensive brown coal reserves which have been used to generate electricity.
As for solar PV installations, flat and open areas are typically the most suitable as they receive maximum sunlight exposure. In Morwell and surrounding regions like Traralgon, Moe, and Churchill, there are plenty of such areas that could potentially be utilized for large-scale solar PV projects.
However, it's also important to consider other factors like local climate (amount of sunny days), proximity to power grids or transmission lines (for easy energy distribution), land use regulations etc., when determining the suitability for a solar project.
The land around Morwell has been heavily impacted by mining activities in the past which could potentially make it suitable for renewable energy projects like solar farms as part of rehabilitation efforts.
Lastly, an assessment from professionals in renewable energy installation would provide a more accurate understanding on specific sites' viability.
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.
