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Solar PV Analysis of Stawell, Australia
Stawell, Victoria, Australia is a decent location for generating solar power all year round. The amount of energy you can expect to generate from solar panels depends on the season. In summer, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce about 7.88 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. In autumn, this drops to around 3.92 kWh/day per kW; in winter it's about 2.50 kWh/day per kW and in spring it increases again to around 5.75 kWh/day per kW.
The best time to generate solar energy at this location is during the summer when the sun is out for longer periods and at a higher angle in the sky, which results in more sunlight hitting your panels directly and thus producing more electricity.
For fixed panel installations at this location, tilting your panels at an angle of 31 degrees towards the North will maximize their exposure to sunlight throughout the year and hence increase total yearly production from your solar system.
As for local factors that could potentially hinder solar production at this location: Stawell has a temperate climate with relatively high rainfall especially during winter and spring which could reduce sunlight exposure on some days but overall should not significantly impact annual output levels given that there are still plenty of sunny days throughout these seasons as well.
One preventative measure that can be taken when installing your solar system would be to ensure there are no nearby trees or buildings casting shadows onto your panels particularly during peak sun hours as this would reduce their efficiency significantly. If such obstructions cannot be avoided then consider using micro-inverters or power optimizers which allow each panel to operate independently thus minimizing losses due to shading issues.
Another factor worth considering is dust accumulation on panel surfaces over time as Stawell has an agricultural industry which could lead to increased dust levels in certain areas; regular cleaning of panel surfaces will help maintain optimal performance levels over time.
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 Stawell
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -37.0573831, Longitude: 142.7761356 (Stawell, 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 Stawell, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Stawell, Australia (Lat/Long -37.0573831, 142.7761356) 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 Stawell, 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 Stawell, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21° North in Summer | 42° North in Autumn | 52° North in Winter | 30° 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 Stawell, 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 Stawell, 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 Stawell, Australia
Stawell is located in the Wimmera region of Victoria, Australia. The topography around Stawell is relatively flat with gentle undulations and low hills. The Grampians National Park lies to the south-west, which features rugged sandstone mountain ranges and forests.
The area's climate is classified as semi-arid, with hot summers and cool winters. It receives an average annual rainfall of 486mm, most of it falling in winter and spring.
Given this topography and climate, large-scale solar PV installations would be most suited for the flat or gently undulating areas around Stawell where there's less shade from trees or hills. These areas would allow for maximum sun exposure throughout the day. Additionally, installing solar panels in these regions can minimize environmental impact as they are typically less biodiverse compared to forested or hilly areas such as those found in Grampians National Park.
It's important to note that any large-scale solar project should also consider factors like proximity to existing power infrastructure for grid connection, potential visual impacts on local communities, potential effects on local flora and fauna among other environmental concerns before proceeding forward.
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.
