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Solar PV Analysis of North Mackay, Australia
North Mackay, Queensland, Australia, is a good location for year-round solar energy production due to its tropical climate with consistent sunlight throughout most of the year. The amount of energy that can be generated from each kilowatt of installed solar power varies by season:
- Summer: 6.84 kilowatt-hours per day
- Autumn: 5.42 kilowatt-hours per day
- Winter: 4.72 kilowatt-hours per day
- Spring: 6.99 kilowatt-hours per day
This means that more energy can be produced in the summer and spring compared to autumn and winter.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting the panels at an angle of 19 degrees North is ideal to maximise total year-round production from solar PV.
However, there may be some local factors that could potentially affect solar production in this area. For instance:
1. Weather conditions such as heavy rainfall or cloud cover during wet seasons could decrease the amount of sunlight reaching the panels.
2. The presence of tall buildings or trees may cast shadows on the panels thereby reducing their efficiency.
3. Dust and debris accumulation on panels can also reduce their effectiveness.
To mitigate these potential issues:
1. Regular cleaning and maintenance should be performed especially during dry seasons when dust accumulation might be high.
2. If possible, installing panels in locations where they are less likely to experience shading would help improve their performance.
3. Using high-quality solar equipment designed for harsh weather conditions can also help ensure higher efficiency even during wet seasons.
Overall though, given its tropical climate with ample sunlight throughout most parts of the year, North Mackay represents a promising site for generating electricity via photovoltaic (solar) technology all-year round!
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 North Mackay
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -21.1245288, Longitude: 149.1878279 (North Mackay, 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 19° North in North Mackay, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Mackay, Australia (Lat/Long -21.1245288, 149.1878279) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 19° 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 North Mackay, 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 North Mackay, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 19° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5° North in Summer | 27° North in Autumn | 36° North in Winter | 15° 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 North Mackay, 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 North Mackay, 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 North Mackay, Australia
North Mackay, Australia is located in the state of Queensland and is characterized by a relatively flat topography. The region is largely urbanized with residential areas, commercial establishments, and industrial zones. However, there are also patches of green spaces and water bodies around the area.
Given its tropical location near the Tropic of Capricorn, North Mackay gets ample sunlight throughout the year making it a suitable location for large-scale solar PV installations. The areas most suited for such installations would be open spaces with minimal shade from buildings or vegetation.
The flat agricultural lands surrounding North Mackay could potentially be used for large-scale solar farms. Additionally, rooftop solar panels could also be installed on commercial and industrial buildings in the city.
However, any plans for large-scale solar PV installation would require careful consideration of various factors including land use regulations, potential environmental impacts as well as social acceptance among local communities.
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
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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.
