Raworth, New South Wales, Australia, located in the Southern Sub Tropics, offers a promising environment for solar energy generation throughout the year. The location's latitude and longitude (-32.7319, 151.6057) contribute to its potential for harnessing solar power effectively.

Seasonal Solar Performance

Solar energy production in Raworth varies across the four seasons. Summer stands out as the most productive period, with an impressive daily output of 6.69 kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows closely, generating 5.92 kWh/day. Autumn sees a moderate decrease in production at 4.39 kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at 3.44 kWh/day.

Optimal Times for Solar Generation

The location's solar potential is particularly favorable during the warmer months. Summer and spring offer extended daylight hours and generally clearer skies, making them ideal for maximizing solar energy production. While autumn and winter see reduced output, the region still maintains a respectable level of solar generation during these cooler seasons.

Panel Installation Considerations

For those planning to install fixed solar panels in Raworth, the ideal tilt angle to optimize year-round production is 30 degrees facing North. This angle is calculated based on the location's latitude and seasonal sun positions, ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the year.

Environmental and Weather Factors

While Raworth generally provides favorable conditions for solar energy production, there are a few factors to consider: 1. Seasonal variations in cloud cover, particularly during winter, may impact solar output. 2. Occasional dust storms or bushfire smoke could temporarily reduce panel efficiency. To mitigate these factors, consider the following preventative measures:

• Install high-quality, weather-resistant panels
• Implement a regular cleaning schedule for the panels
• Use micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading
• Consider a tracking system for even greater energy production, if budget allows

By taking these precautions, solar installations in Raworth can maintain optimal performance and maximize energy production throughout the year, making it an excellent location for harnessing solar power.

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 Raworth

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -32.7319, Longitude: 151.6057 (Raworth, 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 Raworth, Australia

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Raworth, Australia (Lat/Long -32.7319, 151.6057) 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 Raworth, 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 Raworth, 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
16° North in Summer	38° North in Autumn	48° 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 Raworth, 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 Raworth, 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 Raworth, Australia

The area surrounding Raworth, Australia, located at latitude -32.7319 and longitude 151.6057, is characterized by a diverse and picturesque topography. This region, situated in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, features a mix of gently rolling hills, flat plains, and some more rugged terrain. To the west of Raworth, the landscape gradually rises into the foothills of the Barrington Tops, a part of the Great Dividing Range. These hills are covered with a mix of eucalyptus forests and cleared farmland, creating a patchwork of green hues across the countryside. The elevation in this area provides some variation in the terrain, with occasional steep slopes and valleys. Eastward, towards the coast, the land becomes flatter and more open. This area is dominated by the Hunter River floodplain, which consists of vast, level expanses ideal for agriculture. The river itself meanders through the landscape, creating a lush riparian zone along its banks.

Potential for Solar PV Installation

When considering areas suitable for large-scale solar PV installations near Raworth, several factors come into play. The most promising locations would be the flat, open areas to the east and southeast of Raworth. These expanses of level ground offer ideal conditions for solar farms, with minimal shading and easy access for construction and maintenance. The floodplain areas, while flat, may pose some risk due to potential flooding. However, with proper planning and elevated installations, these areas could still be viable options. The abundance of agricultural land in this region also presents opportunities for dual-use solar farms, where solar panels can coexist with certain types of farming activities. The hilly areas to the west, while less ideal due to their uneven terrain, could still accommodate solar installations on their gentler slopes. These elevated positions might even benefit from increased sun exposure throughout the day. It's worth noting that any large-scale solar project would need to consider factors beyond just topography, such as proximity to power infrastructure, local zoning laws, and environmental impact assessments. The region's generally sunny climate, however, makes it a promising candidate for solar energy development, provided these other factors are addressed appropriately.

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.