Solar Stats For Roof Positioning And Angle

One of the key considerations when installing an array of solar panels after assessing the structural soundness of the roof is the direction that the roof is tilted as well as the angle or.

Solar stats for roof positioning and angle.

Trackers are structures which hold the solar panels in order to move and or tilt them according to the position of the sun. They cannot be mounted on a slanted roof. However solar trackers can be used on a ground installation or on a flat roof. This angle varies and is just about equal to the latitude of your home how far north you are in relation to the equator.

For spring and fall multiply your latitude by 0 98 and subtract 2 3 degrees. However the panels can be installed anywhere between 10 to 35 deg with negligible efficiency loss. In case the roof is very steep you may not be able to get the most optimal tilt angle for the panel especially if it is lower than the angle of the roof. By tilting your solar panels the same angle as the latitude of your home which means pointing your panels at that average position you are ensuring that you will get the maximum average output from your solar system throughout the year.

Look up your city s latitude. At this level the solar panel can lie flat on the roof and get enough sunlight to produce enough electricity. However even if you lower the tilt of your roof all the way down to 5 production only decreases by about 10 percent. If you do plan to optimize solar collection in every season use the following calculations.

Generally it s common knowledge in the solar industry that these south facing panels should be tilted between a 30 and 40 degree angle. The angle of your roof actually has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your solar energy system faces. Sun angle at winter solstice equinox 23 5. Most new zealand homes have a roof pitch of 20 to 30 which is considered optimum for maximizing solar power generation.

The orientation of the panels and the angle they are tilted will have a greater effect on annual energy production. Solar panel orientation an optimum tilt angle and orientation of your solar panels on a flat roof will ensure top energy production performance of your system. Only top manufacturers give warranties on panels installed at an angle of fewer than two degrees. For a quick and easy way to find the altitude of the sun at its highest point on the solstices where you live do this quick calculation.

While the sun is in a higher position in the sky during the summer and lower position during the winter it has an average position right in between the two seasons. Sun angle at summer solstice equinox 23 5.