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Solar PV Analysis of Rockhampton, Australia
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia is a pretty good location for generating energy through solar panels all year round. This is because it's located in the Tropics where sunlight is pretty consistent throughout most of the year. The seasons are usually marked by wet and dry periods rather than big changes in temperature or sunlight hours.
On average, you can expect to generate about 7.36 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panel you have installed in Summer. In Autumn, this drops slightly to 5.44 kWh/day per kW; in Winter it's 4.64 kWh/day per kW; and then it goes back up to 6.99 kWh/day per kW in Spring.
The best times of the year to generate solar energy at this location are during Summer and Spring when there's more sunlight available each day.
If you're installing fixed panels at this location, tilting them at an angle of 21 degrees North will help maximise your total yearly production from your solar panels.
However, there could be some local factors that might affect how much energy you can produce from your solar panels:
1) Weather: While Rockhampton has lots of sunshine throughout the year, it also has a wet season which might reduce how much sunlight reaches your panels on rainy days or when there are more clouds around.
2) Topography: If there are any hills or buildings that cast shadows over where you're planning to install your panels, this could also reduce their efficiency.
3) Environmental factors: There might be local regulations about where and how you can install solar panels which could affect their placement and therefore their efficiency.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential challenges:
1) Weather-proofing: Make sure your installation includes weather-resistant features such as waterproofing and wind resistance.
2) Optimal placement: Try to place your solar array where it will get the most sunlight throughout the day and year, avoiding any obstructions like hills or buildings.
3) Compliance with regulations: Check with local authorities to ensure your installation complies with all regulations and restrictions.
In summary, Rockhampton is a pretty good place for solar energy production due to its consistent sunlight throughout the year. Just keep in mind potential weather changes, topography, and local regulations when installing your panels.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 Rockhampton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -23.3786203, Longitude: 150.5088889 (Rockhampton, 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 21° North in Rockhampton, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Rockhampton, Australia (Lat/Long -23.3786203, 150.5088889) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° North in Summer | 29° North in Autumn | 39° North in Winter | 17° 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 Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton, 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 Rockhampton, Australia
Rockhampton is located in the state of Queensland, Australia. The city itself is situated on the Fitzroy River, approximately 45 kilometers from its mouth. The area around Rockhampton features a mix of flat low-lying coastal plains, floodplains along the river systems and some hilly areas to the west.
As for solar PV suitability, large-scale solar farms require large tracts of relatively flat and clear land with high sun exposure. Considering this:
1. Coastal Plains: The coastal plains around Rockhampton could be suitable due to their flatness but may not be ideal because of potential cloud cover from oceanic weather patterns.
2. Floodplains: Floodplains along the river systems are typically flat and could potentially accommodate solar panels. However, these areas are prone to flooding which would pose a risk to a solar farm.
3. Hilly Areas: The hilly areas west of Rockhampton would not typically be suitable for large-scale solar farms due to their uneven terrain.
4. Agricultural Land: There might also be potential in converting some agricultural lands into solar farms if it's economically viable and doesn't conflict with local farming activities.
5. Mining Sites: Given that this region has a history of mining activities, abandoned or remediated mining sites might also provide an opportunity for large scale PV installations as they often have good road access and connection points for electricity transmission infrastructure already in place.
It should be noted that any decision on siting a large-scale solar farm should take into account factors beyond just topography including local climate data (solar irradiance), proximity to electricity grids/infrastructure, environmental impacts, land use restrictions/policies etc.
For more precise information regarding suitability for photovoltaic installations in specific locations near Rockhampton or anywhere else in Australia you may want to consult resources such as Australian Photovoltaic Institute’s Solar Potential Map or similar tools provided by other authoritative entities.
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!
Citation Guide
Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Friday 12th 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.
