Solar Panel Potential

NedS

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82070133#Comment_82070133

Yes, the tree line to the north will have no impact but I see trees to the SE on the drone shot, and also what could be trees to the SW on the google maps image, so not sure what the shading position may be from those, particularly in winter.

Screwdriva

For clarity, the 3 most viable aspects for generation are detailed here. These should easily take ~26 X panels in total between them.

# 4 and #5 would take another 10 panels but only work with optimization, which would increase the cost by over 40% but yield a lower % of incremental generation/ export, not to mention complexity (2 inverters, optimizers, cabling). No shading on any of those aspects is likely with the tree cover shown in the first image. And then there's always the option of a sympathetic tree pollard.

Reed_Richards

Maybe it's an optical illusion but it looks to me as if the areas marked 1, 2 & 3 are all potentially shaded by other bits of the roof if the sun were low enough. And would not the other side of the roof marked 4 be better than 5?

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82073981#Comment_82073981

Was think the same, why not on the West aspect of the West ridge, and the E aspect of the E. Facing outwards rather than in. Maybe to get them further from trees off to the side.

We don't know the time or date of the photo, but (5) isn't shaded at that time. In fact the sun seems pretty high.

Martyn1981

I was also thinking the same. But had a silly(?) thought. Working on just those 'inner' roof surfaces probably allows for more than enough PV capacity*, and workers, once up there can walk about safely/easily.

So ….. longer term, easy to keep clean with a hose and long handled brush.

Also, whilst I think black panels on those roofs will look very nice, only doing the inner surfaces would leave the property looking pretty much unchanged from off-site.

*But I do believe in going as big as possible.

Reed_Richards

The shadows allow for a rough judgement of the height and position of the sun and it seems pretty high and a little west of the direction that the house faces. That's unfortunate because the main concerns about shade are about what will happen in winter when the sun is low in the sky.

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82073999#Comment_82073999

Not silly at all. In fact , this the primary reason for selecting aspects 1, 2 & 3. Minimal visual impact, maximum panel allocation to each string and maximum generation potential of the respective slopes, further enhanced by bifacial albedo. The result should be a nearly perfect generation curve.

OP's 1st image highlights that the bottom row of panels on the East facing aspect (#2) might experience shading from aspect #5 during the earliest hours. This is why the right installer will position the panels as close to the top of that aspect and trust the bypass diodes to compensate for this.

Frankly, I'm slightly envious of that roof :)

Martyn1981

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82074164#Comment_82074164

I'm extremely envious, but don't call me Frank. 🤣