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Solar PV Analysis of Westbury, Australia
Westbury, Tasmania, Australia is a moderately suitable location for year-round solar energy generation using photovoltaic (PV) panels. The amount of energy that can be produced from the sun varies throughout the year. In summer, you can expect to generate about 7.55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed. This decreases to 3.62 kWh/day in autumn and drops further to 1.97 kWh/day in winter before increasing again to 5.47 kWh/day in spring.
This means that the most ideal time for generating solar energy at this location is during the summer months when sunlight is most abundant. Spring also offers relatively high production levels while autumn and especially winter provide less optimal conditions due to shorter daylight hours and lower sun angles.
For a fixed panel installation at this location, tilting your solar panels at an angle of 35 degrees facing north would maximise your total year-round production from solar PV because it aligns them more directly with the path of the sun across the sky.
However, there are some local factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location:
1) Weather: Westbury has a temperate oceanic climate with frequent cloud cover and rain throughout much of the year which could reduce sunlight availability.
2) Topography: Depending on specific site characteristics such as surrounding hills or trees which might cast shadows on your panels, these could limit exposure to direct sunlight particularly during morning or late afternoon hours.
To mitigate these potential challenges:
1) For weather-related issues: You might consider installing tracking systems which allow your panels to follow the sun across its daily arc thereby maximizing exposure even under cloudy conditions.
2) For topography-related issues: Choose an installation site with minimal shading or obstructions from nearby structures or vegetation if possible; alternatively you could mount your panels higher up on poles or rooftops to avoid shadows.
In summary, while Westbury, Tasmania is not the most ideal location for solar energy production due to its climate and potential topographical challenges, it can still be viable particularly during the sunnier months of summer and spring. Careful planning and installation can help optimize your solar PV system's performance year-round.
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 Westbury
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -41.5261616, Longitude: 146.8331855 (Westbury, 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 35° North in Westbury, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Westbury, Australia (Lat/Long -41.5261616, 146.8331855) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 35° 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 Westbury, 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 Westbury, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 35° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25° North in Summer | 46° North in Autumn | 56° North in Winter | 34° 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 Westbury, 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 Westbury, 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 Westbury, Australia
Westbury, Australia is located in the Meander Valley region of Tasmania. The topography of this area is generally flat to gently undulating, with some hilly terrain and mountains further away. The region has a mix of agricultural land, residential areas, and natural forested areas.
In terms of solar PV suitability, large-scale solar projects require areas that have high levels of sunlight exposure throughout the year and relatively flat terrain for easy installation. Considering these factors, the flatter agricultural lands surrounding Westbury could potentially be suitable for large-scale solar PV installations.
However, it's important to note that Tasmania receives less sunlight than mainland Australia due to its southern latitude and often overcast weather conditions. Therefore, although technically possible to install large-scale solar farms in this region, it may not be as economically viable or efficient as locations closer to the equator with more consistent sunlight.
It's also crucial to consider other factors like local regulations on land use and renewable energy projects before planning such developments. Therefore a thorough feasibility study would need to be conducted by experts in the field before any definitive conclusions could be made about potential sites for large scale solar PV around Westbury.
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.
