.svg)
Solar PV Analysis of Wauchope, Australia
Wauchope, in New South Wales, Australia, is a pretty decent location for generating solar energy throughout the year. The amount of energy you can generate with solar panels changes with the seasons. In summer, one can expect to generate around 6.55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for every kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This drops to 4.33 kWh/day in autumn and further down to 3.62 kWh/day in winter before picking up again to 5.87 kWh/day in spring.
So, if you're planning on setting up solar panels here, you'll get the most bang for your buck during summer and spring when the sun shines longer and more intensely compared to other seasons.
To get as much power as possible from your solar setup throughout the year at this location, it's best to tilt your panels at an angle of about 28 degrees facing North; this way they'll catch more sunlight overall.
As for any factors that could potentially reduce how much power you get out of your system: Wauchope is located near a coastal area which means there might be higher levels of humidity or salt air which could affect panel efficiency over time; also being a semi-rural area there may be more dust or bird droppings that could cover and reduce panel effectiveness.
To counter these issues: Regular cleaning would help keep dust or bird droppings off the surface of your panels so they can absorb as much sunlight as possible; while using corrosion-resistant materials would help protect against damage from salty air or high humidity levels.
In conclusion: Wauchope is not a bad spot for generating solar energy all year round provided some care is taken with installation materials and ongoing maintenance.
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 Wauchope
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -31.4575902, Longitude: 152.7307675 (Wauchope, 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 28° North in Wauchope, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Wauchope, Australia (Lat/Long -31.4575902, 152.7307675) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 28° 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 Wauchope, 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 Wauchope, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 28° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15° North in Summer | 37° North in Autumn | 46° North in Winter | 25° 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 Wauchope, 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 Wauchope, 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 Wauchope, Australia
Wauchope, Australia is located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales. The topography of this area consists of a mix of coastal plains and hilly regions. The region is surrounded by national parks and forests, including the Willi Willi National Park to the west and the Queens Lake State Forest to the east.
The coastal plains near Wauchope are relatively flat, which could make them suitable for large-scale solar PV installations. Furthermore, this area receives a significant amount of sunlight throughout the year, which would be beneficial for solar energy production.
However, it's important to note that any decision on where to install large-scale solar PV should take into account various factors beyond just topography and sunlight availability. These include local regulations and zoning laws, potential environmental impacts, access to power grids or energy storage solutions, as well as social factors such as community acceptance or resistance.
It's also worth noting that while flat land is generally easier for installing solar panels due to fewer construction challenges and lower costs related with leveling land or building on slopes; hilly areas can also be used effectively if they have good sun exposure – especially if there are technological solutions available like adjustable tilt-and-turn mounting systems that can follow the sun's path across the sky for maximum efficiency.
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 17th of February 2024
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.
