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Solar PV Analysis of Portland, Australia
The location at Portland, Victoria, Australia, is quite suitable for generating energy through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems throughout the year. However, the effectiveness varies with seasons.
During summer, you can expect to generate a good amount of energy - about 7.35 kilowatt-hours per day for every kilowatt of solar installed. This makes summer an ideal time for solar energy production at this location.
In autumn and winter, the generation drops to 3.74 and 2.42 kWh/day respectively per kW of installed solar due to shorter daylight hours and less intense sunlight.
Spring sees an increase again in production with approximately 5.69 kWh/day per kW of installed solar due to longer daylight hours and more intense sunlight.
To maximize total year-round production from your solar PV system in Portland, Victoria, it's best to tilt your panels at an angle of 33 degrees towards the North.
There may be several local factors that could affect your system's performance such as weather conditions or physical obstructions like buildings or trees that can cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
Portland is known for its windy condition which could potentially damage unprotected panels so it's important to ensure they are securely mounted during installation.
Moreover, Portland experiences moderate rainfall which could temporarily decrease panel efficiency but should not significantly impact overall yearly output as rain also helps keep the panels clean increasing their efficiency in long run.
So if you're considering installing a solar PV system in Portland, Victoria, Australia; make sure it’s securely mounted due to wind conditions; monitor nearby buildings or trees that might obstruct sunlight reaching your panels; and remember rainfall is not necessarily a bad thing as it helps clean your panels increasing their efficiency over time.
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 Portland
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.3380167, Longitude: 141.6041331 (Portland, 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 Portland, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Portland, Australia (Lat/Long -38.3380167, 141.6041331) 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 Portland, 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 Portland, 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 Portland, 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 Portland, 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 Portland, Australia
Portland, Australia is located along the southwestern coast of Victoria. The topography of the region is mainly flat with some rolling hills. The coastline features beautiful cliffs and beaches. Inland, there are patches of forest, farmland, and grasslands.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically preferred to maximize sun exposure and minimize installation complexities. Therefore, the farmlands around Portland might be suitable for such projects given their relatively flat terrain.
However, it's important to note that other factors also come into play when considering suitability for solar PV installations. These include sunlight hours (insolation levels), land use restrictions or regulations, proximity to power grids for easy transmission etc.
According to Australian Solar Radiation Data (ASRD), this region receives moderate amounts of sunlight compared to other parts of Australia which makes it a viable location for solar energy production.
Please remember that a detailed feasibility study would need to be conducted before any decisions can be made about specific locations. This would involve assessing environmental impacts and local community considerations as well as technical and economic factors.
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.
