How to Point a Solar Panel
To get the best results when generating electricity from a solar panel, you need to be sure you have it pointed in the right direction. You can "eyeball" this by simply facing the solar panel toward the sun and moving it occasionally throughout the day, but you may not generate as much electricity from your solar panel as you would like because this method leaves a lot of room for error.
In the United States, solar panels need to face south. Many people don't realize this, but due to the curvature of the Earth, "south" is actually slightly different from one area of the country to another. "South" for solar panel purposes is referred to as "true south" and this is easily calculated from your latitude and the time of year.
Once you find true south, you also must tilt your solar panels at a particular angle to get the best electrical generation. The proper tilt for your solar panels is also calculated based on the latitude of your location.
Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
To find true south at your location, you must look at the shadow cast by a vertical object at solar noon. Vertical objects cast their own shadow at solar noon, and this shadow is oriented to the true north and south for your location.
Solar noon varies in different parts of the year, so the easiest way to find it for your location is by visiting the NOAA Solar Calculator online. Pinpoint your exact location, then note when solar noon is for you.
-
2
Choose a sunny area outside and take note of any vertical buildings nearby. If there are no vertical buildings or it is too shaded, you can also hang a plumb bob in direct sunlight. Wait for solar noon and note the direction of the shadows: These show you true north and south for your location.
-
-
3
Move your solar panels into a level spot in the sunny location and face them as directly to true south as you can.
-
4
Calculate the amount of tilt you need to point your solar panels toward the sun by multiplying your location latitude by 0.9, then adding 29 degrees.
Use your compass to adjust the tilt angle of your solar panels if needed.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The above tilt angle calculation is primarily for winter positioning of your solar panels, but it will work well for all other seasons in most of the United States. If you would prefer to adjust your panels for each season, you can do that with two other calculations.
Subtract 2.5 from your latitude to figure optimum tilt angles for spring and fall.
Subtract 52.5 from your winter tilt angle to find the optimum angle for summertime.
