build two arrays with different azimuth bearings ?

tampasolar
tampasolar Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭
in General Solar Power Topics #1
About to build a new ground mount.  Being in Floirda we have the tier one limits of 10kw per account/meter.  We know that peak array output will be at solar noon if the array is oriented to 180 deg, true south.  What if we have two arrays?  One at 150 bearing and the other at 210 ?
There will be a different peak hour and I predict the spread will be smoother across the entire daylight hours.
Been looking for a calculator where I can see hour by hour production based on setting different azimuth values.  Haven't found such tool online yet.  If anyone here knows of such, please reply.
Purpose here is to drive two 6kw inverters such that the whole day overlap produces more than just aiming it all due south.
Expect to find peak at 10 am and 2 pm on respective inverter.  
Thoughts ?

hybrid: xw6848 pro with two mppt60, 6 kw pv
17 cell 280ah LiFePO4 storage  14 kw
gridtie: sunny boy sma 2x 5k
gridtie: fronius ag5100 5k
Gateway / Insight Local
xw4548 backup
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  • tampasolar
    tampasolar Registered Users Posts: 65 ✭✭
    #2
    im thinking numbers like this ...

    2,4,5,6,5,4,2,1,1
    1,1,2,4,5,6,5,4,2

    hybrid: xw6848 pro with two mppt60, 6 kw pv
    17 cell 280ah LiFePO4 storage  14 kw
    gridtie: sunny boy sma 2x 5k
    gridtie: fronius ag5100 5k
    Gateway / Insight Local
    xw4548 backup
    · Share on Twitter
  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #3
    The website PVWATTS has a spreadsheet hour by hour download.
    Works nice.
    In times past, one member said, overall, a South easterly array produced more energy than a South westerly array.
    When educating the local utility people, they wanted afternoon solar because of AC usage. However SW arrays produced less because of hot afternoons and thunderstorms (high temp lower Vmp, afternoon clouds blocked sun).
    In California, we must have Time of Use billing. Afternoons pay more for power. Night and mornings less.
    You have to look at how utility pays you... peak energy harvest offsets peak power costs (and you may get more $ per kWH for PM harvest).
    And many utilities are changing rules to make GT solar more costly for GT customers.
    Nothing is easy these days and it keeps changing. Solar may make money for you today, and less $$$ 10 years down the road.
    Bill

    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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