Is there a resource for laying out multiple ground mount solar panel arrays?

Presently designing a 15KW DIY grid tie system. There will be two 80' long panel arrays. I need a resource that will help me determine the spacing between the two rows so that the more southerly one does not shade the 2nd array. It's not a simple a geometry problem as you might think.

thx in advance to anyone offering advice.

This page has info, and recommends google sketchup for designing it.

Cool program just for solar design

Thx. just what I needed.

oldryder1973 said:

Presently designing a 15KW DIY grid tie system. There will be two 80' long panel arrays. I need a resource that will help me determine the spacing between the two rows so that the more southerly one does not shade the 2nd array. It's not a simple a geometry problem as you might think.

thx in advance to anyone offering advice.

Click to expand...

i'm looking for the same thing, only my ground will be on a 30 degree angle!

Supervstech said:

Ground mount layout design - Virtuosolar

Create solar ground installation in 3D with Virtuosolar. Discover more feature Design your own PV Racks. EW, South or trackers Displaying solar irradiation heat map from any location on earth Generate automated string plans Easily add civil object like roads, gates, trees , wetlands inside your...

virtuosolar.com

Cool program just for solar design

Click to expand...

Looks like they have removed it.

notarichman said:

i'm looking for the same thing, only my ground will be on a 30 degree angle!

Click to expand...

for my case these are needed: 1. latitude 2. mountain angle in way of sun. 3.ground tilt angle from level.4. height of panel bottom off ground. 5.minimum angle of panel from vertical in winter and over the mountains. 6. maximum angle of sun in summer - get from latitude. 7. tied to #6.
maximum angle of panel from vertical.
so lots of measurements need to be made before calculations can be done.

notarichman said:

for my case these are needed: 1. latitude 2. mountain angle in way of sun. 3.ground tilt angle from level.4. height of panel bottom off ground. 5.minimum angle of panel from vertical in winter and over the mountains. 6. maximum angle of sun in summer - get from latitude. 7. tied to #6.
maximum angle of panel from vertical.
so lots of measurements need to be made before calculations can be done.

Click to expand...

oops, i left off the length of the panel up the hillside.

notarichman said:

for my case these are needed: 1. latitude 2. mountain angle in way of sun. 3.ground tilt angle from level.4. height of panel bottom off ground. 5.minimum angle of panel from vertical in winter and over the mountains. 6. maximum angle of sun in summer - get from latitude. 7. tied to #6.
maximum angle of panel from vertical.
so lots of measurements need to be made before calculations can be done.

Click to expand...

i think this could be done with measurements and a little help from a friend. Measure the angle of the sun in summer and winter with an eye towards mountains in the way. put a post in the ground. measure the panel length and cut a stick to length. use a square to line up the sun at noon in summer along one edge with the other edge of the square along the stick and the end of the stick at the post in the ground. that will give the angle the panel needs to be at maximum sun height. the other end of the stick will be where the bottom of the panel will be. put another post in the ground with the top of the post at the height of where the stick was. you will help to do this. now do the same thing from the bottom location of the panel to the top of the mountain or winter low height of the sun. the stick will be more vertical. at the top of the stick, sight down the square to the hillside up and that gives you the lowest point on the hill that the upper set of panels can be...so give it a few more inches.
Now to do maintenance or replace/remove panels you might need more spacing between panel rows. anyone have a guess on that?