Owen, South Australia, situated at latitude -34.2708 and longitude 138.5402 in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers varying potential for solar PV energy generation throughout the year. This location experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in solar energy production, with the highest output occurring during summer months.

The solar energy generation potential at Owen shows a clear seasonal pattern. During summer, solar panels produce an impressive 8.64kWh per day for each kilowatt of installed capacity. Spring follows as the second most productive season with 6.56kWh/day. Autumn yields a moderate 4.74kWh/day, while winter represents the lowest production period with just 3.16kWh/day per kilowatt installed.

Seasonal Performance

The substantial difference between summer and winter production (a variation of over 5kWh/day per kilowatt) indicates that Owen experiences significant seasonal solar resource changes. This pattern is typical for locations in the mid-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, where summer days receive more intense and longer solar exposure compared to winter days.

For fixed solar panel installations in Owen, the ideal angle to maximize year-round energy production is 29 degrees facing North. This optimal tilt balances seasonal variations by capturing more direct sunlight throughout the year, especially during the lower-production winter months when the sun's path is lower in the northern sky.

Environmental Considerations

Several environmental factors could potentially impact solar production in Owen. Dust accumulation is a significant consideration in this relatively dry region of South Australia. Regular panel cleaning, especially after extended dry periods, can help maintain optimal performance. Installing panels with self-cleaning properties or scheduling seasonal maintenance can mitigate this issue.

Temperature is another important factor. Owen can experience hot summer days that may reduce panel efficiency, as most solar panels lose efficiency when operating at high temperatures. Using panels with better temperature coefficients and ensuring adequate airflow beneath the panels during installation can help address this concern.

Additionally, the region may experience occasional severe weather events including hailstorms and high winds. Installing hail-resistant panels and ensuring mounting systems are rated for local wind conditions can protect the investment and maintain production capacity over the system's lifetime.

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 Owen

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.2708, Longitude: 138.5402 (Owen, 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 29° North in Owen, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Owen, Australia (Lat/Long -34.2708, 138.5402) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 29° 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 Owen, 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 Owen, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 29° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
18° North in Summer	39° North in Autumn	49° North in Winter	27° 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 Owen, 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 Owen, Australia.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Owen, Australia

The topography around Owen, Australia is characterized by gently rolling plains and low hills, typical of the northern agricultural regions of South Australia. The town sits in the lower part of the Yorke Peninsula, within a landscape that gradually transitions from the flat plains of the Mid North region to the more undulating terrain that extends toward the peninsula's southern reaches. To the east of Owen, the land rises gradually toward the Mount Lofty Ranges, creating a subtle but noticeable elevation change across the landscape. These ranges, while not particularly high in the immediate vicinity of Owen, influence the broader regional topography. The western direction reveals flatter terrain that eventually extends toward Spencer Gulf.

Soil and Terrain Features

The soil composition around Owen consists predominantly of fertile agricultural lands, with areas of clay and loam that have historically supported farming activities. The terrain is relatively stable, with minimal risk of landslides or significant erosion, making it conducive to infrastructure development. Drainage patterns in the area follow the natural contours of the land, with seasonal creeks and small watercourses that generally flow during wetter periods. These watercourses have carved subtle valleys in some areas, creating minor variations in the otherwise gentle topography.

Optimal Areas for Solar PV Development

For large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, the most suitable areas near Owen would be the flat to gently sloping plains that lie predominantly to the north and west of the township. These areas offer several advantageous characteristics for solar development: The relatively flat terrain requires minimal earthworks for installation, significantly reducing construction costs and environmental disruption. These northern and western plains also experience minimal shadowing effects from topographical features, ensuring consistent solar exposure throughout the day. Land to the northeast of Owen, where the terrain begins to rise toward the Mount Lofty Ranges, may be less ideal due to increased variability in the landscape and potential shadowing during certain parts of the day. However, some elevated areas with northern aspects could prove beneficial for solar collection if properly situated.

Accessibility Considerations

The existing road network around Owen provides reasonable access to potential solar development sites, particularly along the major transport routes that connect the town to larger centers. This infrastructure would facilitate both construction and maintenance operations for solar installations. The generally stable soil conditions throughout the region are favorable for the installation of solar mounting systems, though site-specific geotechnical assessments would be necessary to confirm suitability for large-scale developments. In conclusion, the topography around Owen presents favorable conditions for solar PV development, with the flatter plains to the north and west offering the most promising locations for large-scale installations due to their consistent terrain, good solar exposure, and accessible nature.

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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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.