Australia is one of the sunniest countries on Earth, making it ideal for solar energy production. But many homeowners and businesses still wonder: how much energy can a solar panel generate per day? Understanding daily solar power generation is crucial when deciding on system size, potential savings, and long-term benefits.
Understanding solar panel energy output
The solar panel energy output refers to the amount of electricity a solar panel can produce under standard conditions. Typically, this is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day.
Solar panel output depends on several factors:
- The wattage of the panel (e.g., 370W, 400W)
- Sunlight exposure (location and hours of peak sun)
- Orientation and tilt of the panels
- Shading and efficiency losses
For example, in most Australian cities, a 370W solar panel exposed to optimal sunlight can generate between 1.5 and 1.9 kWh per day.
Average daily solar power generation by location
Australia’s solar potential varies slightly depending on location. Here’s an approximate estimate of daily solar power generation per panel (based on a 370W panel):
| City | Avg daily output (kWh) | Sun hours per day |
| Sydney | 1.5 – 1.7 | 4.5 – 5 hours |
| Melbourne | 1.3 – 1.5 | 4 – 4.5 hours |
| Brisbane | 1.6 – 1.8 | 5 – 5.5 hours |
| Perth | 1.8 – 1.9 | 5.5 – 6 hours |
| Adelaide | 1.6 – 1.8 | 5 – 5.5 hours |
| Darwin | 1.7 – 1.9 | 5.5 – 6 hours |
These figures reflect how solar energy production is impacted by geographic location and available sunlight hours.
Factors that affect solar panel energy output
Even under sunny Australian skies, many variables affect how much energy a solar panel can generate per day:
- Solar panel efficiency
- High-efficiency panels can convert more sunlight into usable electricity. Check our page for our recommended solar panel products.
- Efficiency ratings range from 17% to over 22%.
- Weather conditions
- Cloudy or rainy days reduce solar panel energy output, although panels still generate electricity.
- Dust, pollution, and snow can also lower performance.
- Roof angle and orientation
- North-facing solar panels tilted at 30–35° generally offer Australia’s best daily solar power generation.
- Poorly angled or east/west-facing panels may reduce output by 10–20%.
- Shading and obstructions
- Nearby trees, buildings, or chimneys can cause significant solar energy production loss.
- Consider optimisers or microinverters to minimise shading effects.
- System losses
- Typical system losses (due to inverter efficiency, wiring, dirt, etc.) account for about 10–15% of total output.
Daily solar power generation for a complete system
Most Australian homes install systems ranging from 5kW to 10kW. Here’s how much solar energy production you can expect daily:
1. 5kW solar system
- Contains ~13 panels (370W each)
- Daily generation: 18 – 22 kWh/day
- Ideal for small to medium homes
2. 6.6kW solar system
- Contains ~18 panels
- Daily generation: 24 – 28 kWh/day
- One of the most popular system sizes in Australia
3. 10kW solar system
- Contains ~27 panels
- Daily generation: 36 – 44 kWh/day
- Suitable for larger homes or small businesses
These numbers depend on location, system quality, and panel orientation. The more sun you receive, the greater your solar panel energy output.
Estimating your solar energy production
To calculate how much energy your panel can generate per day, use this formula:
Panel Wattage (W) × Peak Sun Hours / 1000 = Daily kWh Output
Example:
- A 400W panel in Brisbane (5.5 sun hours/day):
- 400 × 5.5 / 1000 = 2.2 kWh/day
Multiply this by the number of panels in your system to estimate your home’s daily solar power generation.
Maximising your solar panel energy output
To get the most from your solar investment:
- Install high-efficiency panels from reputable brands.
- Optimise orientation and tilt to match your region.
- Keep panels clean and unshaded.
- Monitor performance regularly using solar apps or inverter monitoring.
- Consider adding solar battery storage to retain excess energy for night-time use.
Use Energy Matters’ easy-to-use solar power and battery storage calculator to determine the size of your solar system with storage! Our solar calculator will generate performance information and potential savings.
We can send this information to 3 of our pre-vetted and trusted local installers in your area to receive obligation-free solar quotes.
Solar panel lifespan and long-term output
Most solar panels have a 25-year performance warranty, meaning your system will generate reliable energy for decades.
However, like all technology, output slightly decreases over time (around 0.5% annually). So, after 25 years, your panels will still produce around 85% of their original capacity.
This long-term consistency makes solar energy production a dependable and low-maintenance renewable energy source.
So, how much energy can a solar panel generate per day in Australia? On average, expect 1.5 to 2 kWh per panel, depending on your location and system quality. Multiply this by your total panel count for an accurate daily estimate.
Take the next step towards a sustainable future with Energy Matters
Ready to harness your roof’s full potential? Explore your solar energy options with Energy Matters today, where clean energy meets smart solutions. Let’s power Australia’s future together!
Energy Matters is here to guide you at every stage. Thanks to our high customer satisfaction and industry recommendations, Energy Matters is one of Australia’s most trusted sources for solar quotes. Our team of solar experts can assist you in obtaining up to 3 FREE solar quotes from pre-qualified and vetted solar firms in your area.
