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Location and
Orientation of Solar
Power Systems
Local
conditions and landscape
The location and orientation of the collectors and their tilt
are very important factors in their performance.
But the optimal orientation and location isn’t just a question
of south, north and latitudes. It’s also a question of local
weather conditions – eventual foggy mornings or cloudy
afternoons, for instance – and a question of factors that might
shade the collectors (other buildings, trees…). If the sun is
blocked and doesn’t reach the solar panels time enough, all the
performance of the system will be affected.
You should study and take into account your particular landscape
and also your local weather conditions, before orienting and
locating the collectors.
Optimal Solar collector orientation
Solar collectors should be oriented to maximize the solar energy
that they receive. In most cases the optimal orientation is true
south (in the northern hemisphere) or true north (in southern
hemisphere countries). This position shouldn’t be viewed very
strictly: recent investigations prove that collectors can face
up to 90º east or west of that position without significant
underperformance.
In other words: local weather conditions and landscape
particularities (or even aesthetical ones) may justify a
collector’s orientation different of the theoretic best position
(true south, in the Northern hemisphere or true north in the
Southern hemisphere).
Collectors tilt and
their location on the roof
The optimal tilt angle for a solar collector is an angle equal
to the latitude of the place where it is located, though most
solar collectors have the same tilt as the roof (collectors are
mounted flat on the roof). This turns the system much more
aesthetical without affecting significantly its performance.
However, a substantial increasing of decreasing the vertical
angle of the collector relatively to the sun may indeed reduce
or increase the heat output of the collector. There are
inclusively cases where changing the angle is a mean of
decreasing the excess heat generated by the panels in the summer
(cases when the systems are oversized). See: Sizing the solar
system.
Location of the solar panels
Obviously, collectors are often located out of the roof: some
solar rooms heating collectors are often located on south facing
walls, and most of the swimming pool heating panels are also
located elsewhere. Roof is just a functional and aesthetic
location for solar collectors. The most important is the
orientation of the collector, its tilt and the landscape and
local weather conditions that may affect the optimal position
and determine another orientation or location…
See also:
Basics of
solar systems
Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems
Solar Electricity: Photovoltaic PV Systems
Solar Space Heating basics
Solar Space Heating in
radiators, radiant floor and air forced systems
Solar Cooling
Pros and Cons of Solar
Energy Panels
Costs and payback of
Solar Energy
Solar Panels Technology
Quotes and the
buying process
Market and Prices of Solar Hot
Water Systems
Market and Prices of Solar PV
Electricity
Manufacturers of Solar
Power Systems
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