.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Nambour, Australia
Nambour, Queensland, Australia is a pretty good place for generating solar energy all year round. The amount of energy you can get from your solar panels depends on the time of year. In summer, you can expect to get about 7.03 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. In autumn, this drops to about 4.93 kWh/day per kW; in winter, it's around 4.30 kWh/day per kW; and in spring, it goes back up to around 6.34 kWh/day per kW.
So while there's less sunlight during the cooler months (autumn and winter), there's still enough for your solar panels to generate a decent amount of power - especially if you've got them tilted at the right angle.
The best angle to tilt your panels at this location is 24 degrees towards the North - that'll help maximize how much sunlight they capture over the course of a year.
As for any local factors that might get in the way of your solar production: Nambour is located within a subtropical climate zone which means there could be periods with high rainfall and cloud cover which may reduce sunlight exposure temporarily but overall it shouldn't significantly affect yearly output due its sunny weather most times.
Also consider any potential physical obstructions like tall buildings or trees that might block sunlight from reaching your panels - if these are an issue, you might need to think about where exactly on your property would be best place install them so as not obstructed by these structures or vegetation.
In conclusion, Nambour offers conducive conditions for solar power generation throughout most parts of the year making it an ideal location for installation and utilization of photovoltaic systems.
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 Nambour
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.6313202, Longitude: 152.960382 (Nambour, 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 24° North in Nambour, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nambour, Australia (Lat/Long -26.6313202, 152.960382) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Nambour, 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 Nambour, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° North in Summer | 33° North in Autumn | 42° North in Winter | 21° 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 Nambour, 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 Nambour, 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 Nambour, Australia
Nambour is located in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. The topography of Nambour and its surrounding areas is quite varied, with coastal plains, rolling hills, and some mountainous regions. The area is characterized by fertile soil due to its volcanic origins.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping land is preferred as it reduces installation costs and makes maintenance easier. Given this, the coastal plains around Nambour would likely be most suitable for such a project. Additionally, this region has a high level of solar irradiation which would provide excellent conditions for solar power generation.
However, it's also important to consider other factors like proximity to existing power infrastructure for connection to the grid, environmental impacts including potential effects on local flora and fauna or waterways and land use restrictions or zoning laws which might limit where such a project could be built.
In terms of specific locations nearby that might be suitable based on topography alone: areas towards the east near Bli Bli or Marcoola may be good options given their relatively flat terrain. But again other factors should also be considered before making a final decision.
It's recommended that any large-scale solar PV projects engage with local planning authorities early in the process to identify any potential issues or constraints before proceeding too far with project development.
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.
