.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Sunshine Coast, Australia
The Sunshine Coast in Australia is a good place to generate solar energy all year round because it gets a decent amount of sunlight every day. In the summer, you can expect about 7.25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. This amount drops slightly during autumn and winter, with 4.80 kWh/day and 4.20 kWh/day respectively, but picks up again in spring with about 6.52 kWh/day.
This means that the best times to generate solar energy at this location would be during the summer and spring when there's more sunlight available.
If you're planning on installing solar panels at this location, it's recommended that they be tilted at an angle of 24 degrees facing north to get the most out of the sun's rays throughout the year.
As for local factors that might affect your solar production, there could be several depending on specific locations within Sunshine Coast such as shadows from nearby buildings or trees which could block sunlight from reaching your panels; weather conditions like heavy cloud cover or rainfall can also reduce their efficiency.
To overcome these potential issues, make sure to install your panels where they will get maximum exposure to sunlight – away from any obstructions like tall buildings or trees if possible. Also consider investing in high-quality durable panels that are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and regular maintenance checks should be carried out for optimal performance.
In conclusion, despite some minor challenges based on environmental factors or local topography which can be mitigated through careful planning and installation practices; Sunshine Coast offers an ideal environment for harnessing solar power throughout the year due its geographical location in Southern Sub Tropics.
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 Sunshine Coast
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -26.65, Longitude: 153.066667 (Sunshine Coast, 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 24° North in Sunshine Coast, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Sunshine Coast, Australia (Lat/Long -26.65, 153.066667) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 24° 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 Sunshine Coast, 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 Sunshine Coast, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 24° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11° North in Summer | 32° North in Autumn | 42° North in Winter | 21° 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 Sunshine Coast, 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 Sunshine Coast, 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 Sunshine Coast, Australia
The Sunshine Coast in Australia is located in the southeastern part of Queensland. It has a diverse topography, with coastal plains and sandy beaches along the coastline, inland rolling hills and small mountain ranges covered by rainforests, national parks and reserves.
The region is known for its abundant sunshine throughout the year which makes it an ideal location for solar power generation. The flat coastal plains would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations due to their ease of access and construction. These areas receive direct sunlight with minimal shading or obstruction from nearby structures or natural features.
However, it's important to consider factors such as local climate conditions (like cloud cover), land use regulations, proximity to power grids for energy transmission, environmental impacts and cost-effectiveness before deciding on specific locations for large-scale solar projects.
A good example of this is the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm located at Valdora which is about 15 km west of Coolum Beach. This 15-megawatt farm was opened in 2017 and has over 57,000 panels spread across a site that was previously used as a sugar cane farm.
In addition to flat open spaces like these former agricultural lands or unused industrial lands near urban areas can also be potential sites for large scale solar PV installations due to their close proximity to electricity infrastructure thus reducing transmission costs.
Lastly, rooftops of commercial buildings or carports could also be utilized as they provide ample space without requiring additional land use changes while being close enough to end users reducing transmission losses.
It's always recommended that detailed feasibility studies are conducted before finalizing any sites for such projects considering all relevant technical, environmental & socio-economic factors.
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: Saturday 13th of August 2022
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
Tell Us About Your Work
We love seeing how our research helps others! If you've cited this article in your work, we'd be delighted to hear about it. Drop us a line via our Contact Us page or on X, to share where you've used our information - we may feature a link to your work on our site. This helps create a network of valuable resources for others in the solar energy community and helps us understand how our research is contributing to the field. Plus, we occasionally highlight exceptional works that reference our research on our social media channels.
Feeling generous?
Share this with your friends!
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.
