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Solar PV Analysis of Penrith, Australia
Penrith, New South Wales, Australia is a decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy that can be produced varies with each season. In summer, you can expect to generate about 6.48 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of installed solar power. This drops to about 4.42 kWh/day in autumn and further decreases to around 3.28 kWh/day in winter. In spring, it goes back up again to approximately 5.75 kWh/day.
This means that the best times of year to generate solar power at this location are during the summer and spring months when sunlight hours are longer and more intense compared to other seasons.
For those planning on installing solar panels in Penrith, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing north for maximum efficiency throughout the year.
However, there may be some local factors that could potentially affect solar production at this location such as weather conditions or topography features like mountains or large buildings which could block sunlight from reaching your panels.
In terms of weather conditions, Penrith experiences a mix of clear days and cloudy periods especially during winter which might reduce the effectiveness of your panels during these times.
As for topography and other local factors; if your property is located near tall buildings or under heavy tree cover then these could also limit sunlight exposure on your panels thus reducing their efficiency.
To overcome these challenges when installing solar panels; firstly ensure they are placed where they will receive maximum sun exposure throughout the day - ideally on a flat roof or open land area with no obstructions around them blocking sunlight access; secondly consider investing in high-quality panels which have better performance even under less ideal conditions such as cloudy days; lastly regular cleaning and maintenance would also help keep them working optimally by removing any dust or debris build-up on their surface over time.
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 Penrith
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.7506759, Longitude: 150.687674 (Penrith, 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 30° North in Penrith, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Penrith, Australia (Lat/Long -33.7506759, 150.687674) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Penrith, 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 Penrith, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17° North in Summer | 39° North in Autumn | 48° North in Winter | 28° 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 Penrith, 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 Penrith, 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 Penrith, Australia
Penrith is located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. The topography around Penrith is relatively flat with slight undulations. It is situated in the Cumberland Plain, a region characterized by its flat terrain and gentle slopes. The area has a mix of urban development and open spaces.
The Blue Mountains to the west provide a natural barrier that can lead to some shading effects during certain times of the day or year, but overall, the area receives good solar radiation levels due to its generally clear weather conditions.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open spaces with good sun exposure are ideal. In this context, areas towards the west and northwest of Penrith could be suitable as they have less urban development and more open land available for such projects.
However, feasibility for large-scale solar PV would also depend on other factors such as land ownership and usage rights, proximity to power grids for transmission purposes, local zoning laws and environmental regulations among others. Hence detailed site-specific studies would be required before confirming any location's suitability.
Please note that while topographical factors are important in selecting sites for solar farms other factors like local climate (solar irradiance), grid connectivity infrastructure availability etc., should also be 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!
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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.
