Solar Panel Performance vs Panel Tilting
The following chart reflects solar panel performance for Denver, CO for the Summer Solstice on 6/20/16. The calculations are based on the USNO sun data which includes sun elevation and azimuth. The so...
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Summary for Denver – 40 degrees latitude
Spring Vernal Equinox 3/19, elevation 50 degrees from vertical, 764W, flat 587W, 0 declination, Fall Autumnal Equinox 9/22 similar
Summer Solstice 6/20, elevation 74 degrees from vertical, 846W, flat 881W, max declination
Winter Solstice 12/21, elevation 27 degrees from vertical, 751W, flat 271W, min declination
Tilt the panel to or near the maximum sun elevation. Using latitude is less desirable and doesn’t account for the earth declination which varies 47 degrees during the year.
The calculations used for this thread do not account for air mass, atmospheric conditions, etc that effect solar panel and that effect can be greater in the morning and afternoon.
Spring Vernal Equinox 3/19, elevation 50 degrees from vertical, 764W, flat 587W, 0 declination, Fall Autumnal Equinox 9/22 similar
Summer Solstice 6/20, elevation 74 degrees from vertical, 846W, flat 881W, max declination
Winter Solstice 12/21, elevation 27 degrees from vertical, 751W, flat 271W, min declination
Tilt the panel to or near the maximum sun elevation. Using latitude is less desirable and doesn’t account for the earth declination which varies 47 degrees during the year.
The calculations used for this thread do not account for air mass, atmospheric conditions, etc that effect solar panel and that effect can be greater in the morning and afternoon.
