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Solar PV Analysis of Port Pirie, Australia
Port Pirie, South Australia, Australia is a decent place to generate solar power throughout the year, but it's not perfect. The amount of energy you can get from solar panels there changes with each season. In summer, you can expect about 8.80 kilowatt-hours per day for each kilowatt of solar panels you have installed. This drops in autumn to about 4.91 kWh/day, and even further in winter to around 3.32 kWh/day. However, it starts picking up again in spring with around 6.65 kWh/day.
This means that the best time of year to generate solar power at this location is during the summer months when the sun is out for longer periods and its rays are more direct, leading to higher energy production levels from your solar panels.
If you're planning on installing fixed panel solar installations here, tilting them at an angle of 28 degrees towards the north will help maximize their total yearly production.
As for any local factors that could potentially hinder your ability to produce electricity from solar power at this location; Port Pirie is located near Spencer Gulf which can bring strong winds that may cause dust or debris accumulation on your panels reducing their efficiency over time.
To counteract this issue and ensure greater energy production from your installation: Regular cleaning and maintenance should be carried out on your panels so they remain clear and able to absorb as much sunlight as possible - especially after windy or stormy weather conditions which may deposit dust or debris onto them.
In summary; while Port Pirie isn't an ideal location for year-round high-levels of solar energy generation due its seasonal variations (with winter being particularly low), it still offers a reasonable potential - especially if installations are correctly oriented (tilted towards North) and regularly maintained 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 Port Pirie
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -33.1773056, Longitude: 138.0086102 (Port Pirie, 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 28° North in Port Pirie, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Port Pirie, Australia (Lat/Long -33.1773056, 138.0086102) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Port Pirie, 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 Port Pirie, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° 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 | 38° North in Autumn | 48° North in Winter | 26° 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 Port Pirie, 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 Port Pirie, 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 Port Pirie, Australia
Port Pirie is located in the southern region of Australia, specifically in the state of South Australia. The topography around Port Pirie is fairly flat and low-lying, with some slight undulations. It's situated near Spencer Gulf and surrounded by agricultural land, scrubland, and sparse vegetation.
The climate is characterized by hot summers and mild winters with a relatively high amount of sunshine throughout the year. This makes it an ideal location for solar energy production.
The flat agricultural lands surrounding Port Pirie would be most suited for large-scale solar PV installations as they receive abundant sunlight and are relatively uninhabited. These areas also have easy access to the grid which would facilitate power transmission.
Another potential area could be unused industrial lands or brownfield sites within or near Port Pirie city itself that could host urban solar farms.
However, any development should consider environmental impacts such as potential effect on local biodiversity or water resources. Additionally, social factors such as visual impact on landscape and community acceptance 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 13th 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.
