Gore, Southland, New Zealand, situated in the Southern Temperate Zone, presents a challenging environment for year-round solar PV energy generation. The location's seasonal variations in solar output are quite pronounced, with significant differences between summer and winter production.

Seasonal Solar Output

Summer in Gore offers the most favorable conditions for solar energy production, with an average daily output of 6.29kWh per kW of installed solar capacity. Spring follows as the second-best season, generating 4.96kWh/day. However, autumn sees a considerable drop to 2.78kWh/day, while winter experiences the lowest output at just 1.53kWh/day.

These figures indicate that Gore's solar potential is heavily skewed towards the warmer months, with summer and spring being the ideal times for solar energy generation. The substantial decrease in output during autumn and winter suggests that alternative energy sources or energy storage solutions may be necessary to maintain consistent power supply throughout the year.

Optimal Panel Installation

To maximize year-round solar production in Gore, Southland, fixed solar panels should be installed at a tilt angle of 39 degrees facing North. This angle is calculated to optimize the panels' exposure to sunlight throughout the year, taking into account the location's latitude and the Earth's elliptical orbit.

Environmental and Weather Factors

Gore's location presents some challenges for solar energy production. The region experiences relatively high rainfall and cloudy conditions, which can reduce solar panel efficiency. Additionally, the area is prone to occasional snowfall in winter, which can temporarily cover panels and halt energy production.

To mitigate these factors, several preventative measures can be taken:

• Install panels with anti-reflective coatings to improve performance in low-light conditions
• Use self-cleaning panels or implement regular cleaning schedules to remove snow and debris
• Consider micro-inverters or power optimizers to minimize the impact of partial shading

While Gore's climate poses some challenges for solar energy production, proper installation techniques and equipment selection can help maximize the potential of solar PV systems in this location. However, users should be prepared for significant seasonal variations in energy output and may need to consider supplementary energy sources for the less productive months.

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 105 locations across New Zealand. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in New Zealand by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Gore

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -46.0881, Longitude: 168.9509 (Gore, New Zealand), 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 39° North in Gore, New Zealand

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Gore, New Zealand (Lat/Long -46.0881, 168.9509) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 39° 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 Gore, New Zealand

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 Gore, New Zealand. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 39° North tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
30° North in Summer	50° North in Autumn	61° North in Winter	38° 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 Gore, New Zealand

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 Gore, New Zealand.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. 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 Gore, New Zealand

The topography around Gore, New Zealand, is characterized by a diverse landscape that combines rolling hills, flat plains, and river valleys. Located in the Southland region of the South Island, Gore sits in a relatively flat area along the banks of the Mataura River. The surrounding countryside is predominantly rural, with gentle undulations that gradually give way to more pronounced hills as you move away from the town center. To the west of Gore, the land begins to rise, forming part of the foothills that eventually lead to the rugged Fiordland National Park. These areas feature a mix of pastoral farmland and patches of native bush, with elevation increasing as you move further west. The eastern side of Gore is generally flatter, with expansive plains that stretch towards the coast. The Mataura River, which flows through Gore, has carved a shallow valley through the landscape over time. This river valley provides some of the lowest-lying areas in the region, with fertile flood plains that have been utilized for agriculture.

Potential Areas for Large-scale Solar PV

When considering areas nearby that would be most suited to large-scale solar PV installations, several factors come into play. The ideal locations would combine relatively flat terrain, good sun exposure, and minimal shading from surrounding features. The eastern plains surrounding Gore offer promising potential for solar PV development. These areas benefit from their flat topography, which simplifies construction and reduces the need for extensive earthworks. The open nature of the plains also means there are fewer obstructions to cast shadows on solar panels, maximizing their exposure to sunlight throughout the day. Some of the gently rolling hills to the north and south of Gore could also be suitable for solar installations. While not as flat as the eastern plains, these areas still offer large expanses of land with good sun exposure. The slight inclines of these hills could potentially be advantageous, allowing for optimal panel orientation without the need for significant support structures. It's worth noting that while the region around Gore receives less annual sunshine than some northern parts of New Zealand, advances in solar technology have made PV installations increasingly viable even in areas with moderate sunlight. The cooler temperatures of the Southland region can also be beneficial for solar panel efficiency, as panels tend to perform better in cooler conditions. However, any large-scale solar development would need to carefully consider the agricultural value of the land, as much of the area around Gore is used for farming. Balancing renewable energy goals with preserving productive farmland would be an important consideration in selecting sites for solar PV projects in this region.

New Zealand solar PV Stats as a country

New Zealand ranks 78th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 146 total MW's of solar PV installed. Each year New Zealand is generating 29 Watts from solar PV per capita (New Zealand ranks 58th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in New Zealand?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in New Zealand. The government offers a range of grants and subsidies to help businesses reduce their energy costs and increase their use of renewable energy sources. These include the Solar PV Grant Scheme, which provides up to $20,000 per installation towards the cost of installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems; the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, which provides funding for electric vehicles; and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s Business Energy Management Programme, which helps businesses identify ways to save money on their energy bills. Additionally, some local councils offer rates rebates or other incentives for businesses that install solar panels.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in New Zealand? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

Citation Guide

Article Details for Citation

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.