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Solar PV Panels

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  • reeac
    reeac Posts: 1,430 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    don0301 wrote: »
    hope this is more accurate:

    I just did some calculations regarding my fairly steep roof, 49 degrees, and how the Sun's height in the sky will affect depending on time of year.
    Dec 21 - 14.5 degrees off perpendicular
    Mar 7 - perpendicular (optimum)
    Jun 21 - 24.5 degrees off perpendicular
    could anyone point me to where i could get the information off how much % performance you lose from solar panels by relative angle to the sun.
    ie perpendicular then 100% performance
    20% off perpendicular then X% performance.
    thanks
     
    from my extensive scientific research (google search ;))
    the optimum roof pitch for my latitude (51 degrees North,Essex) is 42 degrees for best all year round performance.
    solar panel loss (in relation to roof angle to sun) at 15 degrees off optimum is 3%?
    cannot find panel losses due to different angles during the year
    I wonder if anyone knows a website that can tell you overall % performance for a roof angle, at a certain latitude (in relation to roof angle and optimum roof angle at that latitude)
    hope that makes sense :P

    For a quick view of the effect of orientation try www.greenshopsolar.co.uk/content/view/52/46. The diagram takes a bit of understanding.
    Personally I'm surprised how slowly the output falls off as you depart from the optimum orientation.
  • don0301
    don0301 Posts: 442 Forumite
    edited 21 January 2012 at 2:13PM
    reeac wrote: »
    For a quick view of the effect of orientation try www.greenshopsolar.co.uk/content/view/52/46. The diagram takes a bit of understanding.
    Personally I'm surprised how slowly the output falls off as you depart from the optimum orientation.

    yeah, i was surprised too. correction, i was talking about tilt not orientation.

    i found some research in California that stated that at 15% off optimum tilt, there was only a 3% loss in performance.

    the PVGIS calculator bears out that it is a small loss too.

    happy days :j
  • zeupater
    zeupater Posts: 5,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Hi

    However, you will find that winter generation is reduced by a larger factor ... our array is around 50 degrees off South and therefore the direct sunlight hours are severely reduced in the winter (if there is actually any direct sunlight ;)), however, the summer generation is impacted far less, it's just that peak generation happens later, which isn't bad because it's more likely to be generating at a significant level when we use the most power.

    HTH
    Z
    "We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit. " ...... Aristotle
    B)
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 15,382 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    zeupater wrote: »
    Hi

    However, you will find that winter generation is reduced by a larger factor ... our array is around 50 degrees off South and therefore the direct sunlight hours are severely reduced in the winter (if there is actually any direct sunlight ;)), however, the summer generation is impacted far less, it's just that peak generation happens later, which isn't bad because it's more likely to be generating at a significant level when we use the most power.

    HTH
    Z

    True, my system at -70deg or ESE has a Dec / June split of 50 / 400

    Checking up on Don (sorry mate) his system is 30% better than mine (size 10%, orientation and location 20%).

    He gets an annual 30% more than me (according to PVGIS) but split much better. He gets +10% June, and +200% December, much more useable spread. But still not jealous (son of a ...)

    M.
    Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • don0301
    don0301 Posts: 442 Forumite
    Martyn1981 wrote: »
    True, my system at -70deg or ESE has a Dec / June split of 50 / 400

    Checking up on Don (sorry mate) his system is 30% better than mine (size 10%, orientation and location 20%).

    He gets an annual 30% more than me (according to PVGIS) but split much better. He gets +10% June, and +200% December, much more useable spread. But still not jealous (son of a ...)

    M.

    and there was me thinking my roof angle was a handicap at first

    :D:D:D
  • don0301
    don0301 Posts: 442 Forumite
    edited 7 February 2012 at 12:29AM
    being updated
  • darrenharvey
    darrenharvey Posts: 1 Newbie
    edited 3 April 2012 at 3:05PM
    Hello all

    My name is Darren Harvey - I am a market researcher working on behalf of one of the UK's biggest manufactuers of PV panels. We are conducting a survey in the next few weeks to get a better understanding of people's perceptions of PV products. This will help our clients develop new products and refine existing ones to meet people's true needs.

    We are looking for people to interview for approximately 1 hour in their homes, to ask about their experiences and thought processes when purchasing PV units. We pay well (usually around £50) and people always enjoy the experience, which takes the form of a very informal conversation.
    If you are interested in taking part and earning a little extra cash then please email me at [EMAIL="darren@profile-group.com"]darren@profile-group.com[/EMAIL].

    We are members of the Market Research Society and are professionally committed not to share your personal data with anyone else. Please be reassured that we (Consumer Profile Ltd) are a bona fide market research company and that we are not selling anything.

    Thanks!
    Darren
  • Hello all

    My name is Darren Harvey...
    Not playing your ukulele this afternoon?
    Are you for real? - Glass Half Empty??
    :coffee:
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