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Solar PV Analysis of Shoalhaven Heads, Australia
Shoalhaven Heads, New South Wales, Australia is a pretty good place for generating solar energy throughout the year. This location gets plenty of sun, especially during the summer and spring seasons. In simple terms, if you have a solar panel system installed here, it can produce an average of 6.41 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day in summer and 5.74 kWh/day in spring for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have.
Autumn also provides decent sunlight with an average production of 4.35 kWh/day per kW of installed solar panels. Winter sees the least amount of sunlight with an average production rate dropping to 3.16 kWh/day per kW.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location, it's best to tilt them at an angle facing 31 degrees North - this is because that's where they'll catch the most sun over the course of a year.
As for local factors that could affect your solar energy production: Shoalhaven Heads has some areas with tree cover which could potentially shade your panels and reduce their output - so you'd want to avoid installing them in heavily shaded areas if possible.
Weather-wise, while Australia is known for its sunny climate, there can be periods where cloud cover reduces sunlight or storms might cause temporary interruptions to your energy generation - but these are normal occurrences that shouldn't drastically impact overall performance across a full year.
In terms of preventative measures: Regular cleaning can help ensure dirt or debris doesn't block sunlight from reaching your panels; using high-quality equipment can also help withstand weather conditions better; and if trees are causing shading issues then trimming or removal may be necessary (if permitted by local regulations).
So overall: yes Shoalhaven Heads has great potential as a location for generating power through solar PV systems - just remember to consider factors like shading when choosing where exactly to install them.
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 Shoalhaven Heads
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.8521331, Longitude: 150.7384036 (Shoalhaven Heads, 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 31° North in Shoalhaven Heads, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Shoalhaven Heads, Australia (Lat/Long -34.8521331, 150.7384036) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 31° 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 Shoalhaven Heads, 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 Shoalhaven Heads, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 31° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° North in Summer | 40° North in Autumn | 50° North in Winter | 29° 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 Shoalhaven Heads, 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 Shoalhaven Heads, 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 Shoalhaven Heads, Australia
Shoalhaven Heads, Australia, is located on the southeastern coast of New South Wales. The topography of this area is relatively flat with some low-lying hills. It's close to the coastline and surrounded by rivers and wetlands, including Shoalhaven River to the north and Seven Mile Beach National Park to the south.
The region has a temperate climate with plenty of sunlight throughout the year, making it suitable for solar PV installations. However, considering its coastal location and potential for cloud cover or fog, it would be essential to conduct a detailed solar irradiance assessment.
In terms of large-scale solar PV installations, areas slightly inland where there are expansive open fields or farmland would be most suitable. This reduces potential shading issues from buildings or trees and allows for easier installation and maintenance access.
One such area could be around Nowra-Bomaderry which is approximately 15 km west from Shoalhaven Heads. This region consists primarily of agricultural land which could potentially host large-scale solar farms without significant impacts on residential areas or natural ecosystems.
However, any development should also consider local planning regulations as well as potential social and environmental impacts such as visual intrusion on landscapes, impact on local flora/fauna habitats etc., so consultation with local communities and authorities would be necessary before proceeding with any project.
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 17th of February 2024
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.
