Aiming Solar Panels

The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a.

Aiming solar panels. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. It also changes angle in the sky as the seasons change. You may need to make adjustments for your situation. As a general rule of thumb keep in mind that the panels need to be more vertical during winter to face the lower sun directly and more tilted towards the ground during summer to face the higher sun.

By connecting these with aims power inverters solar controllers and batteries you can become totally self sufficient energy wise. For example if you have trees to the east but not the west it may be better for you to aim your solar panels slightly to the west. The key component to solar energy collection is your photovoltaic pv array also known as your solar panels. There is plenty of sun in the summer it shines a lot longer and our demand for heat is much less.

With that in mind especially with the goal of doing some space heating optimize your panels for winter when you really need the heat. Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as possible. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun height on a month by month basis. Choosing the best angle and direction for your solar panels will optimize the amount of sunlight they receive and allow you to get the most out of your solar power system.

Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult. Some who install them on their roofs are somewhat limited but if you have the luxury of choosing exactly how you want your system setup there are a few tricks you can use to determine how you should tilt and point your panels. The horizontal orientation of your panels in relation to the equator in this case. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south.

Choose from 60 watt solar panels to 265 watt panels. Solar panels work best when they face directly into the sun. To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. Or if you often have clouds in the afternoon but not the morning you might aim your panels slightly to the east.

In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible. We carry solar panels of many sizes here allowing you to easily support your power needs and your budget. An aims solar system also makes an excellent backup source of power for hurricanes storms and other emergencies when your city power goes out. It just depends on where you live.

But that task is complicated by the fact that the sun moves across the sky throughout the day.