How to Find the Best Angle for Solar Panels
We FINALLY start installing our solar panels! Join us as we figure out how to find the best angle for our solar panels to maximize their energy output. There is a little bit of math involved, but this is useful information for anyone who wants to calculate the optimal angle to mount their solar panels in order to receive the most energy from the sun.
Table of Contents
- Maximize Solar Power Output
- What will we do with ALL THIS POWER?
- Houston, we have a problem
- Where I went wrong…
- Skinning a fish the EASY way!
Maximize Solar Power Output
To get the most energy out of our solar panels, we first need to determine the optimal angle for our solar panels. The simplest way to do this is to consult the experts. We opened our web browser and typed in “optimal solar panel angle.” The top result by Sino Voltaics directed us to a concise article explaining solar panel tilting principles by season.
There are two calculation methods discussed: method one is the easy way, and method two is the better way. We opted for method two. After plugging in our latitude into the formula, we arrived at a value of 26.2 degrees for our solar panel tilt angle. Easy peasy!
What will we do with ALL THIS POWER?
Our solar panels are rated at 550W, but in reality, they generate about 400W each on sunny days. However, our electric incinerator toilet requires a whopping 2000W per flush! This means we need a minimum of 5 or 6 panels to power it on a clear day, and on cloudy days, we might need as many as 14 panels just to flush the toilet! Without battery storage, we’d be running the generator most of the time.
Houston, we have a problem
As we set up our temporary solar panel mounts, we realized that the height of our rack was incorrect. I mistakenly calculated the sine of 26 radians instead of degrees. Once we corrected that, we found the right height for our panels, which was roughly 39.5 inches. This adjustment was crucial to ensure we had the correct tilt angle for optimal energy production.
Where I went wrong…
After some trial and error, we finally achieved a tilt that looked more like 26 degrees. The key takeaway here is that the optimal tilt angle can significantly impact solar panel efficiency, so taking the time to calculate it correctly is essential. We also discussed how seasonal adjustments are necessary; in winter, we need to tilt the panels up to 76 degrees to prevent snow accumulation.
Skinning a fish the EASY way!
After all the hard work with the solar panels, we decided to celebrate by grilling some fresh fish! Nothing beats the experience of cooking a meal right after catching it. This is the way to live—enjoying our hard work and the fruits of our labor in our beautiful wilderness homestead.
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