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Solar PV Analysis of Nairne, Australia
Nairne, South Australia, is a decent location for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. However, the amount of energy produced will vary significantly depending on the season.
In simple terms, solar PV panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. So, the more sunlight available in a day, the more electricity can be generated. In Nairne's summer season, you can expect to generate around 7.92 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power capacity you have. This reduces to approximately 4.50 kWh/day in autumn and further drops to about 2.94 kWh/day in winter when days are shorter and sunlight less intense.
However, production increases again in spring with an average yield of about 6.26 kWh/day per kW installed due to longer daylight hours and increased sun intensity as we move towards summer.
Therefore if you're looking at maximizing your solar generation at this location then summer would be the ideal time followed by spring while winter would be least productive.
For fixed panel installations at this location it's recommended that panels are tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing North - this position will allow them to capture maximum sunlight throughout the year resulting in higher energy production.
As for potential local factors that could impede solar production; weather conditions such as heavy cloud cover or fog could reduce incoming sunlight thus reducing output from your PV system although these conditions aren't typically constant or severe enough here to pose major issues.
Topographical features like hills or tall buildings could also cast shadows on your panels reducing their effectiveness but given Nairne's relatively flat landscape and low-rise structures this is unlikely a significant issue here either.
However it's always important during installation process to ensure there are no obstructions blocking direct sunlight onto your panels throughout different times of day/year - professional installers should conduct a site assessment to identify and mitigate any such potential issues.
In summary, while Nairne might not offer the highest possible solar energy yield due to its seasonal variations in sunlight, it still provides a viable location for solar PV installations with appropriate planning and setup.
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 Nairne
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -35.036328, Longitude: 138.9126371 (Nairne, 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 Nairne, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nairne, Australia (Lat/Long -35.036328, 138.9126371) 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 Nairne, 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 Nairne, 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 Nairne, 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 Nairne, 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 Nairne, Australia
Nairne is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia, with a topography characterized by hilly terrain and valleys. The area generally has a moderate climate, with warm summers and cool winters.
As for large-scale solar PV installations, flat regions with high sun exposure are ideal. In the vicinity of Nairne, the Murraylands to the east could be suitable due to their relatively flat terrain and high sunlight hours. The Adelaide Plains to the west might also be an option; however, this region is more developed and may have less available space for large-scale installations.
It's important to note that while topography and sunlight are key factors in solar farm location decisions, other factors such as proximity to transmission lines, land use restrictions, environmental considerations and community attitudes also play crucial roles. Thus an on-ground assessment would be necessary before making any final decisions.
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.
