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Solar PV Analysis of Nowra, Australia
Nowra, New South Wales, Australia is a pretty good place to generate solar energy all year round. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels depends on the time of year. In summer, you can expect about 6.41 kilowatt hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panels you have installed. This drops slightly in autumn to 4.35 kilowatt hours per day, and further in winter to 3.16 kilowatt hours per day due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight. However, it picks up again in spring with approximately 5.74 kilowatt hours per day.
The best times of the year to generate solar power at this location are during the summer and spring when there's more sunlight available each day.
To make sure your solar panels produce as much energy as possible throughout the year, they should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees North if they're fixed installations - this is because it's optimal for catching sunlight across all seasons.
There might be local factors that could affect how much solar energy you can produce though - things like weather conditions or physical features of the landscape (like mountains or large trees that could block sunlight). It's also important to note that heavy rainfall or dust storms could dirty your panels which would make them less effective at capturing sunlight.
You can overcome these issues by installing your panels in a location where they won't be obstructed by shadows from trees or buildings throughout the day and ensuring regular cleaning maintenance especially after adverse weather events such as dust storms or heavy rainfall.
In summary, Nowra is a pretty solid place for generating solar power with its abundant sunshine especially during summer and spring months but like any other location some considerations must be taken into account such as potential obstructions and maintaining clean panel surfaces for optimal performance.
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 Nowra
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.8870504, Longitude: 150.6005142 (Nowra, 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 31° North in Nowra, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Nowra, Australia (Lat/Long -34.8870504, 150.6005142) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Nowra, 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 Nowra, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° 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 | 40° North in Autumn | 50° North in Winter | 29° 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 Nowra, 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 Nowra, 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 Nowra, Australia
Nowra, Australia is located in the South Coast region of New South Wales. The topography around Nowra includes a mix of flatlands and hilly areas. It is situated near the Shoalhaven River and it's surrounded by several national parks including the Jervis Bay National Park, Morton National Park, and Seven Mile Beach National Park.
The area experiences a warm temperate climate which could be beneficial for solar power generation. However, considering environmental concerns and regulations, large-scale solar PV installations may not be suitable within national park boundaries.
In terms of most suitable areas for large-scale solar PV around Nowra:
1. Flat agricultural lands: These areas are typically clear from obstructions like trees or tall buildings that can block sunlight. They also have easy access for installation and maintenance work.
2. Industrial zones: If there are any large industrial zones with ample rooftop space or unused land nearby Nowra, these could potentially be used for installing solar panels without disrupting natural habitats or agricultural activities.
3. Unused lands: Any unused or barren lands nearby could also be considered for setting up a large scale Solar PV system as they would cause minimal disruption to both human activities and wildlife habitats.
Before deciding on any location though, factors such as sun exposure (solar irradiance), land ownership rights, proximity to power grids (for feeding excess power back into the grid), local zoning laws etc., should all be thoroughly considered.
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: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
