.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of North Wonthaggi, Australia
North Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia is a decent location for solar energy production. The amount of solar energy that can be produced varies throughout the year. In summer, you can expect to produce about 7.34 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This drops to 3.76 kWh/day in autumn and 2.49 kWh/day in winter before rising again to 5.84 kWh/day in spring.
This means that summer and spring are the best times for generating solar power at this location because these seasons have longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight compared to autumn and winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing north if they're installed as fixed panels.
There could be local factors that may affect how much energy you can generate from your solar panels such as shading from nearby buildings or trees, dirt or bird droppings on the panels reducing their effectiveness, or heavy cloud cover which reduces sunlight intensity.
Preventative measures include regularly cleaning your panels to remove dirt or bird droppings; trimming any nearby trees that could cast shade on your panels; installing them in a spot with minimal shade; and using high-quality equipment designed to withstand harsh weather conditions like heavy rain or windstorms which are common during certain times of year at this location.
In summary, while North Wonthaggi isn't perfect for producing solar energy due its lower sun exposure during autumn and winter months compared with summer and spring months - it's still a viable option if preventative measures are taken into account when installing & maintaining your system.
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 North Wonthaggi
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.6089501, Longitude: 145.5911028 (North Wonthaggi, 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 33° North in North Wonthaggi, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in North Wonthaggi, Australia (Lat/Long -38.6089501, 145.5911028) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Wonthaggi, 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 Wonthaggi, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Wonthaggi, 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 Wonthaggi, 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 Wonthaggi, Australia
North Wonthaggi, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and it is characterized by a mix of coastal plains and rolling hills. The area has a combination of both flatlands and gently sloping terrains. It lies near the Bass Strait, which means it can be exposed to coastal winds.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are most suitable because they allow for easier installation and maintenance, as well as more efficient sun exposure. Areas with little to no shade from trees or buildings are also preferable.
In terms of specific locations near North Wonthaggi that would be suitable for large-scale solar PV, unused agricultural lands could potentially be repurposed for this use. Alternatively, industrial areas with large rooftops could also host solar panels.
However, before any installation can take place an in-depth site analysis would need to be conducted. This would include studying the local climate data (to assess sunlight levels), assessing access to grid infrastructure (for feeding power back into the grid), evaluating environmental impacts (such as effects on local wildlife) and considering local planning regulations.
Additionally, while Victoria does get a good amount of sunshine throughout the year, it's important to note that North Wonthaggi's coastal location means it may experience cloud cover more frequently than inland regions - this could impact on the efficiency of solar panels.
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.
