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Solar PV Analysis of Smithton, Australia
Smithton, Tasmania, Australia is a location where you can generate energy through solar power throughout the year. However, the amount of energy you can produce varies greatly depending on the season.
In simple terms, during summer and spring, your solar panels will generate more energy because of longer daylight hours and better weather conditions. Specifically, in summer you can expect to generate around 7.54 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panel installed. In spring this figure is slightly lower at approximately 5.69 kWh per day.
On the other hand, autumn and winter have shorter days and less favourable weather conditions so your panels won't produce as much energy - about 3.58 kWh/day in autumn and only 2.16 kWh/day in winter.
To get the most out of your solar panels year-round at this location it's recommended that they are installed at an angle tilted 35 degrees towards north.
There may be factors specific to Smithton that could affect how much energy your solar panels produce such as local weather patterns (like cloud cover or fog), environmental factors like trees or buildings casting shadows over your panels or even topographical features like hills blocking sunlight.
To overcome these potential issues it's important to carefully consider where you install your panels - ideally they should be placed somewhere with clear exposure to sunlight throughout the day all year round without any obstructions blocking them from receiving sunlight directly.
If there are unavoidable obstructions like trees or buildings nearby then it might be worth considering installing additional equipment such as sun trackers which allow your panels to follow the path of the sun across sky for maximum exposure.
In conclusion: while Smithton isn't an ideal location for generating solar power due its seasonal variations in sunshine hours; with careful planning around installation site selection and possibly using additional equipment like sun trackers; one could still harness significant amounts of clean renewable energy from the sun.
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 Smithton
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -40.8417721, Longitude: 145.1258454 (Smithton, 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 35° North in Smithton, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Smithton, Australia (Lat/Long -40.8417721, 145.1258454) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Smithton, 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 Smithton, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° North in Summer | 45° North in Autumn | 56° North in Winter | 33° 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 Smithton, 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 Smithton, 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 Smithton, Australia
Smithton is located in the north-western part of Tasmania, Australia. The topography of the region is characterized by a mix of flat and hilly terrains with a coastal influence due to its proximity to the Bass Strait. The area is largely rural, with agricultural land being used for dairy farming, vegetable cropping and beef cattle.
When considering the suitability for large-scale solar PV installations, several factors need to be taken into account including solar irradiance levels, availability of flat land and proximity to transmission infrastructure.
While Tasmania generally has lower solar irradiance compared to mainland Australia due to its higher latitude and cloudier climate, there are still opportunities for solar energy generation. Areas with flatter terrain would be more suitable for large-scale solar PV installations as they require less site preparation and can accommodate larger arrays more efficiently.
In terms of specific locations around Smithton that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations, potential areas could include unused agricultural lands or other open spaces that have good sun exposure throughout the year. However, any such proposals would need careful assessment considering local environmental impacts and community views.
It's also important to note that while Tasmania has significant hydroelectric capacity which provides reliable renewable energy source throughout all seasons unlike intermittent sources like wind or solar power which depend on weather conditions.
Finally, any feasibility study should also consider grid connectivity issues as remote locations may incur additional costs associated with connection to existing power infrastructure.
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.
