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Solar PV Analysis of Sale, Australia
The location at Sale, Victoria, Australia, is generally suitable for generating energy via solar photovoltaic (PV) panels year-round. However, the amount of energy that can be generated varies by season. In simple terms, this means that the solar panels will produce more electricity in some parts of the year than others.
During summer, you can expect to generate around 7.35 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar capacity. This is because there are more hours of sunlight and the sun is at a higher angle in the sky. Spring also provides a decent amount of solar energy with about 5.86 kWh/day per kW.
However, during autumn and winter when days are shorter and the sun is lower in the sky, less electricity will be produced - around 3.86 kWh/day per kW in autumn and even less at 2.51 kWh/day per kW in winter.
To maximise total year-round production from your solar PV system at this location, it's recommended to tilt your panels at an angle of 33 degrees facing North.
As for factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location: Sale has a temperate climate with moderate rainfall throughout the year which could sometimes reduce sunlight exposure on some days but shouldn't significantly impact overall annual performance.
In terms of topography or other local factors: The region is relatively flat so there should not be any significant obstructions such as mountains blocking sunlight; however if there are tall buildings or trees nearby they might cause shading issues reducing panel efficiency - so it's best to avoid these where possible when installing your system.
Also keep in mind that dust buildup on panels can reduce their effectiveness over time; regular cleaning can help maintain optimal performance levels though care should be taken not to damage them during cleaning processes.
So overall while there may be minor challenges associated with weather conditions or potential shading from surrounding structures, with appropriate placement and maintenance of the panels, Sale, Victoria, Australia is a generally good location for solar energy production year-round.
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 Sale
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.1051139, Longitude: 147.0680482 (Sale, 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 Sale, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sale, Australia (Lat/Long -38.1051139, 147.0680482) 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, 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 Sale, Australia
Sale, Australia is located in the state of Victoria and is part of the Gippsland region. The topography of this area is generally flat with some gently rolling hills. It's surrounded by farmlands and wetlands, including the Sale Common State Game Refuge to the south. The region also includes parts of several national parks.
Given its relatively flat terrain and abundant sunlight, many areas around Sale could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. However, a few considerations need to be taken into account:
1. Land Use: Large-scale solar PV requires significant land area which should not compete with agricultural activities or protected natural habitats.
2. Sunlight Exposure: Areas that receive more direct sunlight throughout the year would be more efficient for solar energy production.
3. Accessibility: Proximity to infrastructure like roads and transmission lines can affect installation costs and feasibility.
4. Environmental Impact: Any proposed site should undergo an environmental impact assessment to ensure minimal disruption to local ecosystems.
Considering these factors, undeveloped land areas with good sunlight exposure that are close to existing infrastructure but do not encroach on productive farmland or protected natural habitats would likely be most suited for large-scale solar PV around Sale, Australia.
Specific locations would require a detailed survey considering all these factors as well as consultation with local communities and authorities.
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.
