Why Does Longitude And Latitude Matter With Solar Panels

As a rule of thumb solar panels should be more vertical during winter to gain most of the low winter sun and more tilted during summer to maximize the output.

Why does longitude and latitude matter with solar panels. Renewable energy potential model empowers users to calculate renewable energy capacity generation and cost based on geospatial intersection with grid infrastructure and land use characteristics. Here two simple methods for calculating approximate solar panel angle according to your latitude. The earth doesn t orbit exactly around the sun s equator so through the year the center of the solar pictures moves up and down a little more than 7 degrees. Solar energy and latitude energy from sunlight is not spread evenly over earth.

Explore the effect of the angle of incidence on sun s energy. Because your latitude is the same as the angle of the sun in the sky halfway between midwinter and midsummer. Plus since every location is unique. Earth crosses the sun s equator about december 7 and june 7 each year.

On the daylight side only the point directly under the sun receives full intensity solar radiation. Find the best angle for optimizing solar collection during winter when solar energy is most scarce by multiplying your latitude by 0 89 and then adding 24 degrees. That is why they receive the highest level of solar energy. In figure 9 you ll see that the further you go to the north.

Because of the earth s round shape the equator is closest to the sun and the closer you get to the earths poles you get further and further from the sun. Bipv is a solar technology that uses photovolaics in building design. The sun will be about 15 degrees higher in the sky in summer and 15 degrees lower in the sky in winter. This angle varies sinusoidally through the year and is called b0.

So tilting your panels to the midway point will maximize the sun captured throughout the year. Move your mouse pointer across the parallel lines of energy and then click on one of these zones to temporarily lock it and then select a different month season in the menu at the bottom. But the same does not happen on the whole northern hemisphere. Horizontal or 0 degree tilt is not the most efficient angle for solar panels but it does allow for seamless integration into building design.

As you move from the equator to the north the angle of the sun declines. Calculating the optimal solar panel angle. One hemisphere is always dark receiving no solar radiation at all.