After a year long study, the University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute has some results on what is the perfect angle for solar panels in Brisbane. Perfect angles and orientations will help provide optimum power generation.

“We have found Brisbane panels should be angled at 26 degrees, facing true north,” says UQ Global Change Institute researcher, Professor Tapan Kumar Saha.

The research was conducted at the Universities Solar Research Centre in St. Lucia. The campus already has their own 1.22MW solar power system complete with 5004 solar panels and covering the equivalent of one and a half football fields. Their system was installed in 2011 and will save around $6 million over 15 years. In addition, it will offset around 1750 tonnes of carbon emissions.

The study took place over a year where solar panels were placed at different angles and orientations, over three buildings on campus and data was collected. Professor Saha says that there has not been enough Australian research on our perfect placements and other countries are soaring ahead in that area.

“There has been much effort put into determining optimal solar panel positioning in Asia, Canada and Europe, but until now there has been little done to determine these factors in Australia’s sunshine state of Queensland,” said Professor Saha. “The panels were set up with different configurations for a comprehensive understanding of energy generation.”

“This real-world system offers precious information and analysis and will provide invaluable insight into solar panel performance, not just for researchers, but also for the power and energy industry.” Professor Saha hopes that this study will not only further research but also benefit those who endeavour to install solar power as the figures soar in Queensland’s Sunshine State.

There are many other factors to consider when installing a solar power system and property circumstances vary with each house that chooses to install solar power. Any good and qualified solar power installer and solar company will be able to advise you how best to get the optimum generation out of your new solar panels and get the best value for your money.