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diy solar

diy solar

Single Axis Solar Tracker System

Gevannos

New Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2024
Messages
3
Location
Saranac, NY
Good morning folks

I have ordered three single axis solar trackers from Eco_worthy. How can I determine how far apart these need to be? I am in upstate NY about 46 degrees north if that figures into it.

Thanks
Eric
 
This is a great application for AI. (IMHO)

Here's the question I asked.
How long will the shadow of a 12' tall sign be on Dec 21st in 64805

Below is what is spit out 3 seconds later.

1. Determine Sun's Altitude:

  • Find Sun's Altitude:Use an online sun calculator (like the one provided by NOAA) to find the Sun's altitude at noon on December 21st for the location with ZIP code 64805 (Kansas City, Missouri).
    • Note: The Sun's altitude at noon on the Winter Solstice in Kansas City is approximately 27.9 degrees.
2. Calculate Shadow Length:

  • Use Trigonometry:
    • Imagine a right triangle where:
      • The sign's height (12 feet) is the vertical leg.
      • The shadow length is the horizontal leg.
      • The angle between the ground and the sun's rays is the Sun's altitude (27.9 degrees).
    • Use the tangent function (tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent) to calculate the shadow length:
      • tan(27.9 degrees) = 12 feet / shadow length
      • Shadow length = 12 feet / tan(27.9 degrees)
      • Shadow length ≈ 22.8 feet
Therefore, the approximate shadow length of a 12-foot tall sign at noon on December 21st in Kansas City (ZIP code 64805) would be around 22.8 feet.

Important Notes:


  • This is an idealized calculation. Factors like local topography and atmospheric conditions can slightly affect the actual shadow length.
  • Sun's Position Changes: The Sun's position changes throughout the day. This calculation is for noon specifically.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you'd like to explore the shadow length at a different time of day.
 
Good morning folks

I have ordered three single axis solar trackers from Eco_worthy. How can I determine how far apart these need to be? I am in upstate NY about 46 degrees north if that figures into it.

Thanks
Eric
You have to determine the Solar Declination and Sun Angle.
Since you're at 46°N latitude, the sun will be lower in the sky during winter and higher during summer. The minimum solar altitude at solar noon (winter solstice, December 21) will be:

Altitude=90∘−latitude−solar declination
For December 21, solar declination is about -23.5°:

Altitude=90∘−46∘−(−23.5∘)=67.5∘
The maximum altitude at the summer solstice (June 21, solar declination +23.5°) will be:

Altitude=90∘−46∘+23.5∘=67.5∘
The lowest angle at sunrise/sunset during the day determines how much shadow is cast.
To avoid shading, the distance between trackers should be at least 1.3 to 1.5 times the shadow length. In this case:

Spacing=1.5×15.4feet≈23.1feet
For upstate New York, space the trackers at least 23-25 feet (7-8 meters) apart (measured from the center of one tracker to the center of the next) to avoid shading in the winter. You can see the following links for more info:

In case you want to make an Arduino-based Solar tracker, you can see here:

 
This is a great application for AI. (IMHO)

Here's the question I asked.
How long will the shadow of a 12' tall sign be on Dec 21st in 64805

Below is what is spit out 3 seconds later.

1. Determine Sun's Altitude:

  • Find Sun's Altitude:Use an online sun calculator (like the one provided by NOAA) to find the Sun's altitude at noon on December 21st for the location with ZIP code 64805 (Kansas City, Missouri).
    • Note: The Sun's altitude at noon on the Winter Solstice in Kansas City is approximately 27.9 degrees.
2. Calculate Shadow Length:

  • Use Trigonometry:
    • Imagine a right triangle where:
      • The sign's height (12 feet) is the vertical leg.
      • The shadow length is the horizontal leg.
      • The angle between the ground and the sun's rays is the Sun's altitude (27.9 degrees).
    • Use the tangent function (tan(angle) = opposite/adjacent) to calculate the shadow length:
      • tan(27.9 degrees) = 12 feet / shadow length
      • Shadow length = 12 feet / tan(27.9 degrees)
      • Shadow length ≈ 22.8 feet
Therefore, the approximate shadow length of a 12-foot tall sign at noon on December 21st in Kansas City (ZIP code 64805) would be around 22.8 feet.

Important Notes:


  • This is an idealized calculation. Factors like local topography and atmospheric conditions can slightly affect the actual shadow length.
  • Sun's Position Changes: The Sun's position changes throughout the day. This calculation is for noon specifically.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you'd like to explore the shadow length at a different time of day.
that is very cool, thank you for my zip it's 29 feet.
 
You have to determine the Solar Declination and Sun Angle.
Since you're at 46°N latitude, the sun will be lower in the sky during winter and higher during summer. The minimum solar altitude at solar noon (winter solstice, December 21) will be:

Altitude=90∘−latitude−solar declination
For December 21, solar declination is about -23.5°:

Altitude=90∘−46∘−(−23.5∘)=67.5∘
The maximum altitude at the summer solstice (June 21, solar declination +23.5°) will be:

Altitude=90∘−46∘+23.5∘=67.5∘
The lowest angle at sunrise/sunset during the day determines how much shadow is cast.
To avoid shading, the distance between trackers should be at least 1.3 to 1.5 times the shadow length. In this case:

Spacing=1.5×15.4feet≈23.1feet
For upstate New York, space the trackers at least 23-25 feet (7-8 meters) apart (measured from the center of one tracker to the center of the next) to avoid shading in the winter. You can see the following links for more info:

In case you want to make an Arduino-based Solar tracker, you can see here:

great information, thank you so much. I have much studying and planing to do before I can dig up here in the frozen north.
 

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