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Solar PV Analysis of New Norfolk, Australia
The location in New Norfolk, Tasmania, Australia is somewhat suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be produced varies greatly depending on the season. During summer, a lot of energy can be generated with about 7.28 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar. This decreases to 3.50 kWh/day in autumn and drops even further to 1.97 kWh/day in winter. However, it increases again during springtime to around 5.28 kWh/day.
This means that the best time for generating solar power at this location would be during summer and spring when there's more sunlight available compared to other seasons.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 37 degrees towards North would maximize total year-round production from solar PV.
As for local factors that could affect solar production, Tasmania has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons which means less sunshine during autumn and winter months compared to spring and summer months which could reduce the efficiency of your PV system during those times.
Additionally, New Norfolk is located near mountains which may cause shading issues depending on your specific site location - especially if it's located on the southern side of a mountain or hill where it might not get enough sunlight due to shadows cast by these landforms.
To mitigate these issues you should consider installing your panels in an area with minimal shading from nearby structures or trees and perhaps even consider using tracking systems that follow the sun's movement across the sky throughout the day instead of fixed panels - although this would likely increase costs significantly so you'd have to weigh up whether it's worth it based on how much additional energy you'd expect to generate as a result.
Lastly, while Tasmania does receive rainfall throughout all seasons - particularly in winter - most modern PV systems are designed to withstand typical weather conditions so this shouldn't be a significant issue. However, it's always a good idea to regularly clean and maintain your panels to ensure they're operating at maximum efficiency.
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 New Norfolk
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -42.781144, Longitude: 147.0622665 (New Norfolk, 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 37° North in New Norfolk, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in New Norfolk, Australia (Lat/Long -42.781144, 147.0622665) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 37° 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 New Norfolk, 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 New Norfolk, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 37° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26° North in Summer | 47° North in Autumn | 58° North in Winter | 35° 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 New Norfolk, 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 New Norfolk, 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 New Norfolk, Australia
New Norfolk, Australia is located in the Derwent Valley of Tasmania. The topography of this region is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and river valleys with the River Derwent being a major feature. The area generally has a mix of residential areas and farmland.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred as they reduce installation costs and maximize sun exposure. Considering this, farmlands around New Norfolk could be suitable for such installations given their relatively flat terrain. However, it's important to note that Tasmania receives less sunlight compared to mainland Australia due to its latitude which may affect the efficiency of solar power generation.
Additionally, any decisions about large-scale solar PV installations would need to consider factors beyond topography alone including local climate conditions (like average sunlight hours), potential environmental impacts on local fauna and flora as well as existing land use and zoning regulations.
It's also worth noting that hydroelectric power is a significant source of renewable energy in Tasmania due to its mountainous terrain and abundant waterways. This has been more traditionally favored over solar energy 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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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.
