Victoria’s Solar Resources
Victoria has excellent solar resources with its average yearly global solar exposure on horizontal surfaces ranging between 12-20 Megajoules per square metre per day (MJ/m2/day). As an example, Mildura receives 90% of Brisbane's solar radiation levels.
Useful energy can be harvested from the sun in a number of ways. One of the most cost-effective means is to use solar energy to directly heat water for domestic use.
Solar energy is also easily turned into electricity. It can be converted in one of two ways:
- solar photovoltaic - this type of technology generates electricity from light
- solar thermal - this type of technology generates electricity from heat
The Victorian Government is in the process of developing a Solar Atlas to promote the potential of these solar resources.
