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Solar PV Analysis of Wangaratta, Australia
Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia is in a fairly good location for generating energy through solar PV systems year-round. The amount of energy you can generate with this type of system depends on the season. In the summer, you can expect to produce around 8.19 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar power installed. During autumn, that number drops slightly to about 4.47 kWh/day per kW installed, and in winter it reduces further to approximately 2.45 kWh/day per kW installed. But as spring comes around, your production will increase again to about 6.13 kWh/day per kW installed.
So if you're planning on installing a solar PV system in Wangaratta, Victoria, the best times for generating power would be during the sunnier seasons - summer and spring - when there's more sunlight available.
The panels should be tilted at an angle of 31 degrees facing north for optimal performance throughout the year; this position maximizes their exposure to sunlight.
However, there are also local factors that could affect your solar production here such as weather conditions like heavy rainfall or fog which could block sunlight from reaching your panels; topographical features like tall buildings or trees may also cast shadows over your panels reducing their efficiency.
To mitigate these issues and ensure greater energy production from your solar installation:
1) Choose a location for panel installation where obstructions that might block sunlight are minimal.
2) Regularly clean and maintain your panels so they can function optimally even in adverse weather conditions.
3) Monitor weather forecasts closely so you know when less productive periods might occur due to cloudy or rainy days.
4) Install additional equipment like trackers which allow panels to follow the sun’s path across the sky thereby maximizing exposure even during less sunny seasons.
Remember though: while these preventative measures can help optimize output from a fixed panel installation at this latitude/longitude combination, the actual results may vary based on specific local conditions and the quality of the PV system installed.
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 Wangaratta
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -36.3649306, Longitude: 146.3149259 (Wangaratta, 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 Wangaratta, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wangaratta, Australia (Lat/Long -36.3649306, 146.3149259) 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 Wangaratta, 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 Wangaratta, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20° North in Summer | 41° North in Autumn | 51° 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 Wangaratta, 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 Wangaratta, 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 Wangaratta, Australia
Wangaratta, Australia is located in the northeast part of Victoria. The topography of this region is relatively flat to gently undulating with some hilly areas. It is a part of the Murray River plains and also includes parts of the Great Dividing Range.
The area around Wangaratta has a mix of agricultural lands, residential areas, and natural reserves. The agricultural lands are primarily used for cropping and grazing.
For large-scale solar PV installations, open and flat areas are typically preferred as they allow for easier installation and maintenance, as well as more efficient operation due to unobstructed sunlight. Therefore, unused or less productive agricultural lands could potentially be suitable for such installations.
However, it's important to consider other factors like local climate conditions (sunlight hours), proximity to power grids for energy transmission, potential environmental impacts, land use policies etc., before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV projects.
It's also worth noting that any such development would require appropriate planning permissions from local authorities which would take into account various environmental factors including impact on wildlife habitats or any sites of cultural significance etc.
In terms of specific locations around Wangaratta that might be suitable for large-scale solar PV systems based purely on topography - flat areas in the Murray River plains could potentially be considered. However again these decisions should be made taking into account all other relevant factors mentioned above.
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: Friday 12th of August 2022
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.
