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Solar PV Analysis of Yeppoon, Australia
Yeppoon, Queensland, Australia is a good location for generating solar energy all year round. This is because it's in the tropics where sunlight is consistent most of the year. The seasons in this region are typically characterized by wet and dry periods rather than significant temperature changes.
The amount of energy you can expect to generate from each kilowatt (kW) of solar panels installed varies by season. In summer, you can expect about 7.36 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day, while in autumn it drops slightly to 5.44 kWh/day. Winter sees the lowest production with 4.64 kWh/day, but it increases again in spring to approximately 6.99 kWh/day.
The best time for generating solar energy at this location would be during the summer and spring seasons when sunlight exposure is highest.
For a fixed panel installation at Yeppoon, Queensland, tilting your panels at an angle of 21 degrees North will maximize your total yearly production from your solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
However, there may be some local factors that could potentially impede solar production at this location:
1) Weather: In tropical regions like Yeppoon, Queensland, heavy rainfall or cloud cover during the wet season might reduce sun exposure and therefore affect power generation.
Prevention: Regular cleaning and maintenance of panels can ensure they perform optimally even under less ideal weather conditions.
2) Topography: If there are tall buildings or trees nearby that cast shadows on the panels for large parts of the day.
Prevention: Choose an installation site with minimal shading throughout the day or trim tree branches if possible.
3) Environmental: Dust or bird droppings could accumulate on panels over time reducing their efficiency.
Prevention: Regular cleaning will help maintain efficiency levels.
In conclusion, while Yeppoon's tropical climate provides ample sunlight for efficient solar power generation throughout most of the year; weather patterns, topography, and environmental factors should be considered for optimal solar panel installation and maintenance.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
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 Yeppoon
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -23.1335258, Longitude: 150.7374455 (Yeppoon, 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 21° North in Yeppoon, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Yeppoon, Australia (Lat/Long -23.1335258, 150.7374455) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 21° 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 Yeppoon, 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 Yeppoon, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 21° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7° North in Summer | 29° North in Autumn | 38° North in Winter | 17° 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 Yeppoon, 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 Yeppoon, 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 Yeppoon, Australia
Yeppoon, Australia is located on the coast of Central Queensland. The topography of this area is characterized by a mix of flat coastal plains, rolling hills, and rugged mountainous terrain to the west. The region also features a number of rivers and creeks.
As for solar PV installations, flat areas with plenty of sun exposure would be most suitable. In Yeppoon's case, the coastal plains could potentially be suitable for such a project due to their flatness and exposure to sunlight. However, feasibility would also depend on other factors like soil condition and local regulations about land use.
Another potential area could be some parts of the hinterland that are not too steep or heavily forested. These areas might offer larger tracts of land that are less likely to be developed for other uses.
However, it's important to note that suitability for solar power doesn't just depend on topography and sun exposure - factors like proximity to power grids (for feeding in surplus power), environmental impact considerations (like avoiding ecologically sensitive areas), as well as economic considerations (like cost per hectare) all play a role in determining where large-scale solar PV projects can feasibly be set up.
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 13th 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.
