| There is encouraging information for those | | | | There are single axis tracking solar systems that track |
| homeowners who live in areas of the country covered | | | | the sun from east to west. There are also dual axis |
| with snow or, clouds due to frequent storms, for much | | | | tracking solar systems that track both from east to |
| of the year. The following article explains in some detail | | | | west and up and down, following the sun's altitude and |
| how how the sun angle effects solar energy out put in | | | | azimuth to optimize production throughout the season. |
| the form of electric for home solar power units. We | | | | In the winter, the sun is much lower in the sky than in |
| will also document a few of the common components | | | | the summer therefore solar energy systems that can |
| in a home solar energy system such as mounting units, | | | | tilt up or down have a greater chance of catching all |
| sun tracking systems, and more. | | | | of the sun's energy. |
| The Sun's Irradiance Throughout the Day | | | | Forms of Sun Irradiance |
| Many graphs and charts, found on the Internet via | | | | The sun reaches the solar panels in various paths, not |
| searching, show a solar cell module's output when it | | | | just directly from a sun's beam being directly overhead. |
| faces south throughout the 4 days following the fall | | | | Because of this fact, there may be good generation of |
| equinox. These graphs most often show a bell curve | | | | solar electricity on even overcast days or when you |
| of the power output, where peak production occurs | | | | would not think the sunlight is of proper intensity. |
| around 12 to 1pm with a morning ramp-up and a | | | | There are three types of irradiance: |
| decline as the sun goes down. This is due to intensity | | | | 1. Diffuse irradiation: Scattered light comes from the |
| of light as well as deflection. As the days get shorter, | | | | whole sky. Diffuse light from the sun does not exist on |
| the total irradiation falls as expected. The sun no longer | | | | blue sky days where there are not clouds. On the |
| is directly square with the panels, since it is lower in the | | | | other hand, it is found a lot in areas of smoggy or |
| sky. | | | | cloudy weather. |
| Panel Tracking Devices for Home Solar Energy | | | | 2. Direct Irradiation: A beam of sun light goes straight |
| Systems | | | | from the sun to the solar module and directly interacts |
| The best way to get around this decline in energy | | | | with the solar cells |
| output is to place the solar array on a tracking device | | | | 3. Reflected Light (i.e. the Albedo effect): This is light |
| to keep it in direct sunlight for more time throughout the | | | | that is reflected or scattered by the ground or nearby |
| day. Looking at a sunflower can give you a good idea. | | | | surfaces like trees or other buildings. Snow gives off a |
| The sunflower wakes up in the morning facing due | | | | lot of this albedo light and grass or dirt gives off very |
| East to catch the morning sun. As the day progresses, | | | | little. |
| the sunflower turns its head to track as much sunlight | | | | Sun Path Diagrams and Home Solar Energy Systems |
| as possible. It's perplexing why sunflowers grow so tall | | | | A sun path diagram plots the position of the sun |
| and sturdy? They soak up as much sun as possible. | | | | throughout the year. This is very useful when designing |
| There are two different types of tracking systems for | | | | and installing solar arrays, to optimize the performance |
| residential solar energy units. Often there are alternate | | | | by determining the best angle and to avoid shadows |
| methods to mount a solar array. You could mount the | | | | from trees, vents, other buildings, etc. Understanding |
| solar panels on a fence, a flat wall, on a light pole, but | | | | where the sun traces across the sky at your home, |
| the methods that follow are the most common. | | | | allows you to place your solar energy unit in the |
| 1) The level, horizontal mounted array produces more | | | | correct location. You can also determine if you may |
| energy in the summer when the sun is directly | | | | need to supplement your solar power system with a |
| overhead. | | | | tracking device. |
| 2) Fixed angle at the optimum tilt angle yields the most | | | | Expanding Options for Residential Solar Energy |
| kWh for a fixed array over the course of the entire | | | | New solar energy technology is continually coming to |
| year. | | | | market that takes the idea of solar power to a new |
| These two types of tracking systems create | | | | and simpler levels. Homeowners, while it is very useful |
| dramatically more exposure and higher sun hours all | | | | to know the nuts and bolts of solar power systems, |
| year long, but still more in the summer months. This | | | | do not have to know the level of detail as presented in |
| relates to the overall need to calculate and take into | | | | this article. New solar technology and home solar panel |
| account the total amount of energy required per | | | | rental services provide energy efficiency and better |
| month and per year then average out to the highest | | | | control of power consumption. These solar power |
| electric needs on a monthly basis. All of this data is | | | | rental programs enable electric services that are more |
| included with the solar energy sizing estimates. | | | | responsive, more reliable, and more renewable. |