Ground Mount Planning / Help Placing Ground Mount

faccnator said:

I feel like I can’t tell where a particular tree might shade a particular spot all day and all year based on the position of the sun

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Drunk Engineer said:

If you have an iPhone, then download the app "Sun's Path". You can point your camera at any point in the sky, and using "augmented reality" display feature will show the position of the sun on any particular time/day of the year. Select winter equinox date on the app, then walk around your property and point your phone upwards to find a good location. If you don't have an iPhone, there are probably similar apps for Android.

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faccnator said:

Hello wonderful forum

It’s time to plan my ground mounts. I have 8 acres. Need to pick the best spot around trees and shadows etc. What is the best tool to do so. Physical tool or an app or what have you. I don’t mind spending a few dollars. What I spend now I will save later.

Thank you all

Faccnator

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SunCalc sun position- und sun phases calculator

Application for determining the course of the sun at a desired time and place with interactive map.

www.suncalc.org

• Input your own address.
• Set to use the ESRI base map - seems to provide the most current satellite view.
• Drag the map so the red circle is over your tallest obstacle of choice that might shade the area where you want to put your solar panels.
• Set date to Dec 21, 2024. Winter solstice - shortest day of the year. E.g. least sun and when shade is most debilitating to solar panels.
• Set obstacle level (in meters) to match the height of where you set the red circle.
• Drag the yellow slider at top of screen left and right to see what the shadow does
• Change dates to different times of year to see how sun and shadow behaves on the chosen date.