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Solar PV Analysis of Woodside, Australia
Woodside, South Australia has varying potential for solar energy production throughout the year. In simple terms, this means that the amount of electricity you can generate from solar panels changes with each season.
In summer, you can expect to generate quite a lot of electricity - about 8.62 kilowatt-hours for every kilowatt of solar panels you have installed. This is because the days are longer and the sun is often out, so your panels get plenty of sunlight.
In autumn and winter, however, this number drops significantly. You might only get around 4.80 kWh/day in autumn and even less in winter at around 3.23 kWh/day per kW of installed solar due to shorter daylight hours and more cloud cover.
Spring sees an increase again with about 6.58 kWh/day per kW as days start to lengthen and weather improves.
If you're looking at when it's best to generate solar power at this location, summer would be ideal followed by spring due its longer daylight hours and sunny conditions.
When installing your solar panels in Woodside South Australia, it's recommended that they are tilted at an angle of 30 degrees facing North to get maximum exposure from the sun all year round which will help optimize energy production.
As far as local factors that could affect your ability to produce solar power here go; there may be some but nothing significant comes up immediately without further investigation into specific environmental or topographical conditions unique to Woodside itself such as large trees casting shadows or hills blocking sunlight etc.. However general preventative measures include ensuring clear unobstructed access to sunlight for your panels (trimming overhanging branches etc.), proper installation angle (as mentioned above) and regular cleaning/maintenance for optimal performance.
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 Woodside
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -34.9530018, Longitude: 138.8750778 (Woodside, 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 30° North in Woodside, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Woodside, Australia (Lat/Long -34.9530018, 138.8750778) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 30° 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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 30° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19° North in Summer | 40° North in Autumn | 50° North in Winter | 28° 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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, 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 Woodside, Australia
Woodside, Australia is located in the Adelaide Hills region of South Australia. The topography of this area is characterized by rolling hills, valleys, and slopes with a generally high elevation. The area has a mix of farmland, vineyards and natural vegetation.
The suitability for large-scale solar PV projects would depend on several factors including the availability of flat or gently sloping land, the amount of sunlight received (solar irradiation), proximity to power grids for easy transmission and local environmental and planning considerations.
Given these factors:
1. Flat farmlands: Some parts of Woodside's surrounding areas are used for farming activities. These flat lands could potentially be suitable for solar PV installations given their relatively low slope which can facilitate installation and maintenance.
2. Near power grids: Areas close to existing power infrastructure would be beneficial as it reduces costs associated with transmitting the generated electricity to where it is needed.
3. High Solar Irradiation: While Adelaide Hills region does receive decent sunlight throughout the year, areas towards Murray Bridge or Tailem Bend might have higher solar irradiation making them more ideal for large scale solar projects.
4. Environmental considerations: Any potential site must also take into account local biodiversity and ecological impacts before proceeding with installation.
However, any decision on suitability would require detailed site-specific analysis including technical feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments and community consultation.
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
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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.
