.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Mount Barker, Australia
Mount Barker, South Australia, Australia, is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy you can get from each kilowatt of solar panels installed varies by season. During summer, you can expect to generate about 7.92 kilowatt-hours per day from each kilowatt of solar panels installed. In autumn, that number drops to about 4.50 kilowatt-hours per day; in winter it's even lower at around 2.94 kilowatt-hours per day; and in spring it rises again to about 6.26 kilowatt-hours per day.
Therefore, the best times of the year for generating solar power in Mount Barker are during the summer and spring months when sunlight is plentiful.
For an optimal setup at this location, your solar panels should be tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing north - this will help maximize your total yearly energy production from your solar system.
However, there could be local factors that might impede or reduce your energy production capabilities such as weather conditions (like cloud cover or rain), environmental issues (like dust or bird droppings on the panels), and topography (such as hills or trees casting shadows onto your panels).
To overcome these potential issues:
1) Regular cleaning can help keep dust and bird droppings off your panels which can block sunlight.
2) If possible, install the PV system where it will not be shaded by nearby obstacles like trees or buildings.
3) Monitor local weather patterns to understand how often poor weather may affect power generation.
Remember though that these are only preventative measures - some factors like changing weather conditions cannot fully be controlled but having a good understanding and taking these steps can certainly help ensure greater overall efficiency and productivity from your solar panel installation in Mount Barker.
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 Mount Barker
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.0746, Longitude: 138.8611 (Mount Barker, 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 Mount Barker, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mount Barker, Australia (Lat/Long -35.0746, 138.8611) 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 Mount Barker, 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 Mount Barker, 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 Mount Barker, 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 Mount Barker, 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 Mount Barker, Australia
Mount Barker is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The topography around Mount Barker is largely hilly and undulating, with some flat areas. The region is known for its fertile soils and lush green landscapes, interspersed with vineyards and orchards.
The Adelaide Hills area experiences a Mediterranean climate with warm to hot summers and cool, wet winters. This weather pattern may not be ideal for large-scale solar PV installations as they require ample sunlight throughout the year.
However, the flat areas around Mount Barker could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar installations if they receive sufficient sunlight. Areas such as Strathalbyn or Murray Bridge to the east of Mount Barker are relatively flatter and might be more suited for large scale solar PV installations due to their geographical orientation towards sunnier regions.
It's always crucial to conduct thorough site assessments before embarking on such projects since factors like local climate conditions, land use restrictions, proximity to power grids etc., can greatly impact the feasibility of a project.
Please note that this analysis does not substitute a detailed feasibility study that would take into account many other factors including specific local regulations, detailed climatic data etc., which are outside the scope of this response.
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 22nd of October 2022
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
