Mount Pleasant, South Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising location for solar PV energy generation. The seasonal variation in solar output provides insights into the year-round potential for solar energy production at this site.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar panels in Mount Pleasant demonstrate peak performance during the summer months, generating an impressive 8.66kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season, yielding 6.50kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in output at 4.72kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest production at 3.20kWh/day.

Ideal Generation Periods

The most favorable times for solar energy generation in Mount Pleasant are from late spring through early autumn. During these months, longer daylight hours and higher sun angles contribute to increased solar panel efficiency. However, it's worth noting that even during the less productive winter months, the panels continue to generate a significant amount of electricity.

Optimal Panel Tilt

For fixed panel installations in Mount Pleasant, the ideal tilt angle to maximize year-round solar production is 30 degrees facing North. This angle optimizes the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, accounting for the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental Considerations

While Mount Pleasant generally offers favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few environmental factors to consider:

• Dust and pollen: The rural setting may lead to dust and pollen accumulation on panels, potentially reducing efficiency.
• Tree shading: Nearby trees could cast shadows on panels, particularly during winter when the sun is lower in the sky.

To mitigate these issues, regular panel cleaning and strategic placement away from potential shading sources are recommended. Additionally, investing in high-quality, dust-resistant panels can help maintain optimal performance in this environment.

Overall, Mount Pleasant presents a highly suitable location for solar PV installations, with strong year-round potential and manageable environmental challenges.

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 Mount Pleasant

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.8116, Longitude: 139.031 (Mount Pleasant, 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 Pleasant, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mount Pleasant, Australia (Lat/Long -34.8116, 139.031) 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 Pleasant, 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 Pleasant, 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 Pleasant, 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 Pleasant, 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 Mount Pleasant, Australia

The area surrounding Mount Pleasant, Australia, located at latitude -34.8116 and longitude 139.031, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque landscape. This region, situated in South Australia, features a mix of gently rolling hills, shallow valleys, and open plains. The topography is generally undulating, with elevation changes that are noticeable but not extreme. Mount Pleasant itself is not a towering peak but rather a modest hill that rises above the surrounding countryside. The area is part of the Mount Lofty Ranges, a series of hills and low mountains that run north-south to the east of Adelaide. These ranges create a varied terrain with numerous small creeks and streams cutting through the landscape. The vegetation in the region is a blend of native bushland and cleared agricultural land. Many areas have been transformed for farming and grazing purposes, resulting in a patchwork of open fields interspersed with pockets of native trees and shrubs. This mix of open spaces and wooded areas contributes to the area's scenic beauty.

Suitability for Large-Scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations for solar farms in this region would be: Firstly, the open plains and gently sloping hillsides to the east and northeast of Mount Pleasant offer promising potential. These areas typically receive ample sunlight throughout the year and have fewer obstructions that could cast shadows on solar panels. The gradual slopes in these directions can also be advantageous for optimal panel positioning. Secondly, the cleared agricultural lands to the south and southwest of Mount Pleasant present opportunities for solar development. These areas are often already flat or have been leveled for farming, which reduces the need for extensive land preparation. The existing road networks in these agricultural zones could also facilitate easier access for construction and maintenance of solar installations. It's important to note that while the topography around Mount Pleasant is generally favorable for solar PV, specific site assessments would be necessary to determine the most suitable locations. Factors such as proximity to existing power infrastructure, local planning regulations, and environmental considerations would all need to be taken into account when selecting the best sites for large-scale solar projects in this region.

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.