Optimum photovoltaic panel inclination

[AA87]

Hi

Does anyone know any good reading sources that help with the following calculations:

1) find the optimum photovoltaic inclination from the horizontal
2) find the radiation for this pv panel when you know what the global, direct and diffuse radiation is

Thanks

 

[LionelHutz]

1) If you have a rod mounted perpendicular to the panel (sticking straight out from the front) then there should be no shadow at solar noon. In other words, the panels should directly face the sun at mid-day.

 

[dpc]

There are a bunch of web-based resources available for determining optimum angle for solar panels, based on the latitude. Try a Google search.



David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[itsmoked]

If I recall they should be raised the local latitude and pointed due south (northern hemisphere).

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[dpc]

From an older thread:

http://www.wattsun.com/misc/photovoltaic_tilt.html

David Castor

http://www.cvoes.com

 

[itsmoked]

Ah that's right! It's a trade-off game that no one can really say for your location. If you can change them twice a year that helps. If you can't then you have to try to hit the best payback angle for your system.

Thanks for that nifty link David.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[AA87]

thanks

Are the equations for the solar radiation perpendicular to the optimum pv panel inclination the same when you are in the southern hemisphere (thus the panel is facing north)?

 

[jfpe]

The optimal orientation for a grid tied photovoltaic system in the US is typically 30-35 degrees. You can find the optimal tilt for your location with PV Watts, a free on line calculator provided by the National Renewable Energy Lab (

http://www.nrel.gov/rredc/pvwatts/).

Real world considerations usually push designers to lower tilt angles, particularly for roof mounted systems. Lower tilt angles reduce wind loading and also reduce the spacing required to eliminate shading between rows.

Off grid systems like high way call boxes usually have a steeper tilt to capture as much sun as possible in the winter months.

-John