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Solar PV Analysis of Terranora, Australia
Terranora, New South Wales, Australia is a pretty good spot for generating energy via solar power throughout the year. The amount of energy you can get from your solar panels depends on the season. You'll get the most energy in summer, with an average of 6.80 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels you have installed. Autumn and spring offer moderate amounts of energy at 4.43 kWh/day and 5.96 kWh/day respectively, while winter provides the least amount at 3.93 kWh/day.
Given these numbers, it's clear that summer is the best time to generate solar power at this location due to longer daylight hours and more direct sunlight exposure compared to other seasons.
When installing your solar panels in Terranora, it's recommended that they are tilted at an angle of 25 degrees facing North for optimal year-round production.
However, there could be local factors like environmental conditions or topography that might affect your solar production here. For instance:
- Trees or buildings might cast shadows on your panels reducing their efficiency.
- Dust or bird droppings could accumulate on your panels over time which will also limit their ability to capture sunlight.
- High winds or storms could potentially damage your installation.
To mitigate these issues:
1) Choose a location for your panel installation where there are fewer obstructions like trees or buildings blocking sunlight.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels to remove any dust or debris.
3) Install durable mounting systems designed to withstand high winds and consider protective measures such as storm covers if severe weather is common in this area.
In conclusion, Terranora is a suitable location for generating substantial amounts of solar power especially during summer months but some attention must be paid towards ensuring proper maintenance and protection against potential environmental challenges when setting up installations here.
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 Terranora
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -28.2369684, Longitude: 153.5012724 (Terranora, 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 25° North in Terranora, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Terranora, Australia (Lat/Long -28.2369684, 153.5012724) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 25° 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 Terranora, 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 Terranora, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 25° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12° North in Summer | 34° North in Autumn | 43° North in Winter | 22° 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 Terranora, 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 Terranora, 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 Terranora, Australia
Terranora is located in the Tweed Shire of New South Wales, Australia. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of rolling hills, valleys and plains with some coastal flatlands. It has a relatively high elevation compared to the surrounding region which can provide good exposure to sunlight.
The area also features various water bodies including creeks and rivers which could potentially impact the placement of solar panels due to potential shading or flooding concerns. However, there are plenty of open spaces that could be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
As for specific areas nearby best suited for large-scale solar PV:
1. Tweed Heads: This nearby town has vast open spaces that are ideal for setting up large scale solar farms.
2. Murwillumbah: Located west of Terranora, this town also presents ample space and good sun exposure.
3. Cudgen: This agricultural area north-east from Terranora offers wide open fields with excellent sunlight conditions.
It's important to note though that while these areas have suitable topographical conditions, other factors like local climate (cloud cover and rainfall), soil stability, proximity to power infrastructure (for grid connection) as well as local planning regulations should also be considered when deciding on locations for large scale solar PV installations.
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.
