Southern States Winter Sun Angle

[LanduytG]

Building a tilt mount for the panels on my 5th wheel. If I figured this right I should never need more than 40 degrees of tilt. Am I correct on this?

Greg

 

[Offgridsteve]

I was reading up on this the other day. I’m not positive but what I was reading for my location (Northeast US) is to take your latitude and add 15 degrees for your winter angle, and subtract 15 degrees from your latitude for the summer months.

It could be a little different for your location though...

 

[svetz]

The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5°. The Mason Dixon line is at 39.7°. So, at the summer solstice, the sun would be at 39.7-23.5=16.2° south (from straight up at solar noon, 90-16.2 for 'altitude'). At the Winter solstice, the sun would be 39.7 +23.5 = 63.2° south Or, just use the calculator: Solar Angle Calculator The solar angle calculator tells you by location the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. www.solarelectricityhandbook.com 40° is fine though, after all, do you really want to go north in winter?

 

[LanduytG]

The Earth's axis is tilted at 23.5°. The Mason Dixon line is at 39.7°. So, at the summer solstice, the sun would be at 39.7-23.5=16.2° south (from straight up at solar noon, 90-16.2 for 'altitude'). At the Winter solstice, the sun would be 39.7 +23.5 = 63.2° south Or, just use the calculator: Solar Angle Calculator The solar angle calculator tells you by location the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. www.solarelectricityhandbook.com 40° is fine though, after all, do you really want to go north in winter?

Thanks, that makes it easy. I never thought about southern Florida and most likely will never go there, but I'm good at 40 degs. I have book marked this for future reference.

Greg

 

[snoobler]

Optimum Tilt of Solar Panels