The orientation of the panels can influence how much direct sunlight they receive. - Vertical Orientation: This setup can be beneficial in areas with higher latitudes where the sun is lower in the sky for longer periods. It can also be useful for maximizing exposure during the winter months when the sun is lower.
The orientation is composed of two parameters: direction and tilt angle. Select your timezone and enter your coordinates (latitude and longitude) to calculate the optimal orientation for fixed solar panels, twice adjusted solar panels, quarterly (seasonally) adjusted solar panels, and monthly adjusted solar panels.
There are two factors in the orientation. The first is the direction, and the second is the tilt angle. Both are independent but vital parts in optimizing orientation for solar panels. The direction is calculated using the azimuth angle of the sun, which is simply a directional measure of the sun in the sky.
1. Vertical (Portrait) Orientation: The longer side of the panel runs up and down. 2. Horizontal (Landscape) Orientation: The longer side of the panel runs side to side. While the orientation might seem like a minor detail, it can significantly impact the overall performance and efficiency of your solar power system.
In many cases, the difference in energy production between vertical and horizontal orientations is minimal when panels are correctly angled and positioned to maximize sunlight exposure. The choice between vertical and horizontal should, therefore, be based on: - Roof Space Optimization: Maximize the number of panels and their exposure to sunlight.
If the sun is high in altitude, then the tilt angle would be small and solar panels would be more horizontal. For low altitudes, the tilt angle is large, and solar panels are vertical. The tilt angle for solar panels is dependent on the latitude of the sun. Fixed solar panels are a convenient and preferred choice.