Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Ok, I've been looking at info on solar panels and the correct angle. I've thought mounting them flat on a roof would be a good way to go. The info I've found says to calculate the best angle for panels by using your latitude as a starting point.

The quick and easy formula would be to add 15 degrees in winter or subtract 15 in summer, but using the more accurate winter calculator of 90% of Latitude + 30 degrees can give a fairly steeper angle.

The general opinion (and common sense too I guess) says if the panels are going to be mounted at a fixed angle, then mount them for winter when you get the least sun. My roof is at maybe a 8/12 pitch. Living at roughly 45 degrees latitude, this means mounting them at a far steeper angle than even a 12/12 (45 degree) roof pitch.

Not being educated about solar power, and getting enough clouds and rain as it is to make me wonder about using solar anyway...... would mounting the panels at less than the winter optimum be worth it?

Even assuming the panels were mounted at 45 degrees? If not, it seems unless you're living in an a-frame or something, you're better off having them mounted up off the roof or on the ground (easier target for thieves).

Any advice at all?

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Latitude plus 15 Degrees.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

There also was a discussion a long while back about having panels follow the
sun thus optimizing their gain potential...

Several designs can be had on the net of varying degrees of complexity....

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

RedRockSolar ..... google it.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Single axis tracking ( east-west ) will add about 25-30% to your production, and dual axis will add another 8-10% ( north-south ).

Pole mount in the yard is the way to go.....panels stay cooler ( you lose power they hotter they get ). If thievery is a problem, you need a bigger dog.

You can build a tracker for under a grand, compared to 3-4k they want for a commercial one.


http://www.digistash.com/data/026a39...2_p125114.jpeg

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Junk, IMHO....and you'll be lucky to get it in MONTHS.....but I'd be glad to sell you mine.

One that actually works, and if you have a question, unlike RedRock, the guy will actually answer you...

http://theanalogguy.com/

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Thanks Tn Andy for the glimpses of your homestead. They're always an inspiration! Congrats on all you've achieved.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

I mounted mine flat to the roof, but I have a steep pitch and it worked out great. Only thing I regret is that I laid them up in a horizontal pattern and snow hangs between the first and second row of panels. Next time I'll just do a row of verticals so the snow will slide off quicker. My ridge runs east-west.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

of course you don't need the up/down axis to be motorized, you can just give it a bit of a tune up every couple weeks

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Absolutely......and I would NOT spend the dough to motor that axis.....as you say, a hand crank from time to time will do fine.

The east west, you definitely DO want motor driven.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Thank you.......it's a work in progress....25 years into a 50 year project.

My goal is "the next guy won't have to do much".....ahahhaaaa

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

Hey all,

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate em and will definitely keep em in mind for future reference.

For the sake of argument here let's say my house is on the top of the hill and my neighborhood is too populated for me to feel comfortable with the panels on the ground.

Is it just not worth it to set the panels flat at 45 degrees or less? Is there a formula I could use to tell me how much power i'd get at 45 degree compared to the recommended angle?

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

You could use a old school photographers light meter and a protractor to find your optimum angle.

Re: Solar Panel Angle Advice
 

The source was intended to give him the info to build his own.

Personally, I'd get a used C band dish setup and build a tracking circuit to drive the motor East/West tracking.

But then, I'm not loaded with FRNs ...