[RE-wrenches] Best angle - direct grid tie

[Drake Chamberlin]

Hello Wrenches,

My Solar Pathfinder Assistant (SPA) claims that the optimum tilt 
angle for the solar modules is latitude.  I'm skeptical.  The system 
being designed is a direct grid tie, ground mount.

It seems to me that an angle of latitude will give a balanced angle 
for both summer and winter charging.  Since there is far less energy 
available in the winter, is this balance really the best.  Also, a 
flatter angle in the summer should gain more hours of sun, since the 
sun goes N of the E-W axis.

With ballasted systems, the 15 degree angle is supposed to work just 
fine, due to better summer charging.  Does anyone have an answer to 
what really is the optimum tilt angle for a direct grid tie 
system?  Is the SPA geared toward off grid systems, or is latitude 
really the best?

Thank you and best wishes for the New Year,

Drake Chamberlin
Athens Electric
OH License 44810
CO License 3773
NABCEP TM  Certified PV Installer
Office - 740-448-7328
Mobile - 740-856-9648  
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20100104/0db7ff7d/attachment-0002.html>