.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Mullumbimby, Australia
The location at Mullumbimby, New South Wales, Australia is generally good for generating energy via solar PV throughout the year. The amount of energy produced varies by season due to the changes in sunlight. On average, you can expect to generate 6.80 kWh per day in summer, 4.43 kWh per day in autumn, 3.93 kWh per day in winter and 5.96 kWh per day in spring for every kW of installed solar.
This means that the best time to generate solar power is during summer when the sun is at its strongest and longest duration of daylight hours are available; however, decent amounts can also be generated during spring and autumn while winter has the least potential due to shorter days and less intense sunlight.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting panels at an angle of 26 degrees North will help maximise total year-round production from solar PV because it will enable them to capture more direct sunlight throughout each day.
As for any environmental or local factors that could affect solar production in Mullumbimby; one potential issue could be heavy rainfall or storms which are common during certain times of year (particularly summer) as they can block sunlight reaching the panels thereby reducing their output. Additionally, any large trees or structures casting shadows on your panels would also reduce their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues when installing your system: firstly ensure your panels are positioned away from any objects that could cast shadows on them throughout the day; secondly consider using a mounting system that allows you to adjust panel angles so you can optimise their exposure even during periods with less direct sun; lastly it would be wise to install a robust cleaning and maintenance routine (especially after heavy weather events) as dirty or damaged panels will produce significantly less energy than clean ones operating at peak efficiency.
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 Mullumbimby
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -28.5531752, Longitude: 153.4996462 (Mullumbimby, 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 26° North in Mullumbimby, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Mullumbimby, Australia (Lat/Long -28.5531752, 153.4996462) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 26° 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 Mullumbimby, 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 Mullumbimby, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 26° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° North in Summer | 34° North in Autumn | 44° North in Winter | 23° 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 Mullumbimby, 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 Mullumbimby, 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 Mullumbimby, Australia
Mullumbimby is located in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The topography around Mullumbimby is characterized by a mix of coastal plains and low-lying hills, with Mount Chincogan and Mount Warning being notable features in the area. It has a subtropical climate with high rainfall.
When considering large-scale solar PV installations, factors like sunlight hours, land availability and slope, proximity to transmission lines or substations, and environmental considerations are important.
Given these factors:
1. The coastal plains surrounding Mullumbimby could be suitable for large-scale solar PV due to relatively flat terrain which facilitates installation and maintenance.
2. Areas further inland may also be suitable if they have good sun exposure but this would need to be balanced against potential challenges related to transporting electricity back to populated areas.
3. Existing agricultural lands could also potentially host solar panels if dual use (agrivoltaics) is considered.
However, any specific site would require detailed feasibility studies including technical aspects such as incident sunlight levels (which are generally good in this region), land ownership issues, ecological impact assessments etc., before any definitive conclusions can be drawn about its suitability for large scale solar PV installations.
It's also worth noting that the Byron Shire Council (which includes Mullumbimby) has a goal of achieving 100% self-sufficiency through locally generated renewable power so there may be local support for such projects.
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
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.
