[RE-wrenches] Array spacing for optimum performance

[William Miller]

Carl:

The "sweet spot" is something you have to figure out for yourself.  You 
need to balance job-specific values against one another.  Consider factors 
such as:  how much you pay for power, how valuable morning and afternoon 
production is, the cost of additional PV, the balance between lower tilt 
angle production versus more PV that could fit and what weather patterns 
are that influence the value of insolation at a given hour or season.

Maybe you can minimize tilt angle and purchase more PV...  Or you can 
purchase more land and install more PV...  Or build a bigger structure to 
add more PV...  Consider the price of conservation against the price of 
more PV...

Build some spreadsheets to explore these trade-offs.  I can' do this for you.

Good luck...

William Miller


At 04:44 PM 4/15/2012, you wrote:
>Carl is having sending issues, so I am posting this on his behalf. He will 
>be able to receive your responses on the list, though.
>
>From: Carl Emerson <Carl at solarking.net.nz>
>Sent: 15 April 2012 10:16 p.m.
>Subject: Array Spacing for optimum performance.
>
>  Hi there,
>
>Can I raise a design issue with large grid-tied arrays.
>
>Using William’s spreadsheet for array spacing leaves me with several 
>questions unanswered.
>
>Assuming the array is inclined for max year round performance, one could 
>then space the array for no shading for a certain sun Elevation and Azimuth.
>
>The question I have is what is the sweet spot when compromising shading 
>for array spacing in large arrays.
>
>Narrower spacing means more panels in the array and better output in summer.
>
>Wider spacing means better winter performance with less panels and less 
>annual power production.
>
>Is there a guideline available to optimise these factors

>
>Thanks for your help.
>
>Carl Emerson
>Freepower Co.
>Auckland N.Z.
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Miller Solar
Voice :805-438-5600
email: william at millersolar.com
http://millersolar.com
License No. C-10-773985
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