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Solar PV Analysis of Yallourn North, Australia
The location at Yallourn North, Victoria, Australia is moderately suitable for generating energy via solar PV all year round. The amount of solar energy that can be produced varies across the seasons due to changes in the intensity and duration of sunlight.
In simple terms, a solar panel installed here will make more power in some seasons than others. For instance, during summer when days are longer and sunnier, each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar can produce around 7.09 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This is quite good and makes summer an ideal time for solar power generation.
However, in autumn and winter when days are shorter with less sunshine, each kW of installed solar will only produce 3.64 kWh/day and 2.41 kWh/day respectively which is significantly lower than in summer.
Spring sees an improvement with each kW of installed solar making about 5.57 kWh/day as the days start getting longer again.
To maximize total year-round production from the panels they should be tilted at an angle of 33 degrees facing North which aligns them optimally with the path of the sun across Australian skies.
As far as possible hindrances to producing optimal amounts of energy via these panels are concerned; local environmental factors such as frequent cloud cover or fog could reduce sunlight exposure thus decreasing energy output from your panels significantly.
This area also has a history of bushfires which could potentially damage your installation or create sooty deposits on your panels reducing their effectiveness.
Topographical factors like mountains or tall buildings blocking direct sunlight could also affect production but this would largely depend on where exactly you're planning to install your system within Yallourn North.
You can tackle these potential issues by regularly cleaning your panels to remove any dust or soot deposits ensuring maximum exposure to sunlight; installing protective measures against fire damage if you're located near bushfire-prone areas; choosing a site that isn't shaded by mountains or buildings; and considering adjustable angle installations that can be tilted to face the sun more directly during winter when the sun is lower in the sky.
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 Yallourn North
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -38.1601594, Longitude: 146.3624593 (Yallourn North, 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 33° North in Yallourn North, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yallourn North, Australia (Lat/Long -38.1601594, 146.3624593) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 33° 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 Yallourn North, 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 Yallourn North, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 33° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22° North in Summer | 43° North in Autumn | 53° North in Winter | 31° 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 Yallourn North, 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 Yallourn North, 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 Yallourn North, Australia
Yallourn North, Australia is located in the Latrobe Valley region of the state of Victoria. The topography of this area is characterized by rolling hills and valleys, with a generally flat landscape. The area has been heavily influenced by human activity, with significant coal mining operations shaping the land.
The region receives a moderate amount of sunlight throughout the year, making it potentially suitable for solar PV installations. However, specific sites would need to be evaluated for factors such as slope angle, soil stability and proximity to power transmission infrastructure.
Large-scale solar PV facilities require large areas of relatively flat land that are free from shading. Given these requirements, potential locations around Yallourn North could include:
1. Unused or rehabilitated mining lands: These areas may offer large expanses of flat terrain that could be suitable for solar PV installations.
2. Agricultural lands: Provided they do not interfere with existing farming activities or valuable agricultural soils, these could also serve as potential locations for solar farms.
3. Industrial zones: Large industrial zones or brownfield sites might have enough space and infrastructure to accommodate large-scale solar developments.
However, any proposal for a large-scale solar facility would need to undergo detailed site-specific assessments including environmental impact studies and community consultations before being approved.
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.
