Rules Of Thumb For Designing Solar Panel Power System

The optimum performance of a photovoltaic panel is obtained when it s correctly aligned to the sun when the sun is directly overhead.

Rules of thumb for designing solar panel power system.

Often when designing a power system people are tempted to start at the generation source i e. This would mean a 25 tilt in miami a 35 tilt in raleigh north carolina and a 45 tilt in seattle. To determine how many solar panels you can actually use it is important that you know how much roof space you have. When designing a system the first things a professional designer will consider will be the sunlight levels for your area insolation and your total power requirement.

This usually equates as a fixed mounting to an alignment of around latitude or 15 degrees. A small pv system could reduce your electricity needs enough to move you to a different tier lowering your rates and saving you a large amount of money. Of course you should tilt the panels for maximum power on home systems and that means 15 degrees higher than latitude in winter 15 degrees lower in summer. Here in seattle that would mean the panels face due south and they are mounted at an angle of inclination of 47 5.

2 know how much available roof space sq ft you have. Historically modules were tilted at or near the latitude of the project s location. Historical design rules varied greatly by latitude. In summer you can leave them up high and the longer daylight hours will make up for not optimizing tilt.