Super steep paneling in the frozen north?

This is one of the most popular subjects here and for good reason. Your choice of panel angling has a significant bearing:
1) On ability to shed snow.
2) Maximize harvest during the shorter, darker days of winter vs harvesting more during the super long days of summer.
My place for example though it is not truly far north. Lat. 37 means the most annual energy is harvested with a 32 degree panel tilt - according to conventional wisdom. My readings have indicated that 52 degrees will maximize winter harvest and 22 degrees will maximize summer harvest.
My place for example though it is not truly far north. Lat. 37 means the most annual energy is harvested with a 32 degree panel tilt - according to conventional wisdom. My readings have indicated that 52 degrees will maximize winter harvest and 22 degrees will maximize summer harvest.
If you run a lot of summer time a/c the decision is probably easy for obvious reasons.
I chose a 45 degree panel tilt with a 37 degree latitude. Here are the results:
I chose a 45 degree panel tilt with a 37 degree latitude. Here are the results:
Snow and ice is almost always shed by 11am. I don't normally get a lot of snow though, this is a dry environ.
The panels start showing energy production about 7am during the winter. Energy production starts around 6:30am during the summer time due to the Daylight Savings clock shift and panels that are geared for the winter. Of course they produce for more hours during the summer.
Board members are pretty universal in agreeing that over paneling is more effective than solar tracking. Also that adjustable mounts are a pain and a weak link that are always discouraged after some experience.
I believe I have read accounts of northern users who wish they had chosen a steeper angle. Can't recall any who wish they had opted for a milder angle.
This gets discussed pretty frequently here.
I believe I have read accounts of northern users who wish they had chosen a steeper angle. Can't recall any who wish they had opted for a milder angle.
This gets discussed pretty frequently here.
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
Comments
You can use PVWatts to model various configurations/angles/directions for the arrays and download into a spread sheet (hour by hour, 365 days a year) for the details:
https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/pvwatts.php
-Bill
For me July is the peak month for AM starting voltage due to battery temperature. Woke up to 50.3 in spite of running two additional freezers and a small overnight fan. On a quest for battery longevity - I think most of us are.