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Solar PV Analysis of Mount Isa, Australia
Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia is a pretty good spot for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's in the Tropics, where sunlight is pretty consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons here are usually marked more by wet and dry periods rather than big temperature changes.
On average, you can expect to generate about 7.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed in the summer. In autumn, this drops slightly to 6.58 kWh/day, goes down further to 5.56 kWh/day in winter, and then bounces back up to 7.34 kWh/day in spring.
To get the most out of your solar panels over the whole year at this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 19 degrees facing North.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels at Mount Isa:
1) Dust and dirt: Mount Isa has a mining industry which could mean more dust in the air that may settle on your solar panels and reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning would help keep them working well.
2) Extreme weather: While not common, severe storms or hail could damage your panels or make them less effective if they're covered with debris or water spots afterwards.
3) Shade: Any large buildings or trees nearby could cast shade on your panels reducing their effectiveness especially during certain times of day or year depending on where they are located relative to your installation.
4) Heat: Solar panel efficiency can actually decrease if temperatures get too high so cooling measures like proper ventilation might be needed especially during hot summer months.
So while Mount Isa has a lot going for it when it comes to generating solar power - lots of sun and consistent light levels - there are also some challenges that need careful consideration when installing a system here.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 Isa
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -20.7263687, Longitude: 139.4930159 (Mount Isa, 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 19° North in Mount Isa, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mount Isa, Australia (Lat/Long -20.7263687, 139.4930159) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 Isa, 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 Isa, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5° North in Summer | 27° North in Autumn | 36° North in Winter | 14° 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 Isa, 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 Isa, 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 Isa, Australia
Mount Isa, Australia is located in the northwestern region of Queensland and is characterized by a rugged terrain with hills, ridges, and valleys. The region is part of the Gulf Country which is known for its isolated and arid landscapes. It's predominantly covered by grasslands with sparse trees.
In terms of solar PV suitability, areas to the south and east of Mount Isa would be most ideal due to their flat topography. These areas receive high amounts of sunlight throughout the year making them suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Additionally, these regions are less populated which reduces potential conflicts over land use.
It's also worth noting that Mount Isa itself has significant mining activity which could potentially benefit from renewable energy sources like solar power. However, any installation would need to be carefully planned to avoid disrupting existing operations or damaging the environment.
As always before undertaking any large scale project such as this it's important to conduct a thorough feasibility study including factors like land ownership, access to transmission lines and potential environmental impacts.
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: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
