This panel can put out close to 100 watts ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.
Well because many things depend on if it is overrated or not. Living in different areas, like Finland, the yearly average optimal is 40 degrees, however in the winter it is 50-55 degrees. Now leaving the panels at some 15 degree tilt, will decrease your winter production by some 20-50%. In the winter the temperature can be -30 degrees C, and you need every inch of power to heat up your home (if you have electric heating like I do). The electricity is in general higher during winter times too. A tilt (that costs) but increase your production on the 4 most important months (Feb/March and October/November) while reducing in the summer when no heat is needed and the system usually overproduce... Feb production with 5 kw system is (calculated) 100 kWh with 15 degree tilt, and 160 kWh with a 45 degree tilt (170 kWh with a 55 degree tilt). In March a 55 degree tilt gives 473 kWh, and a 15 degree 348 kWh. *** Then tilt is really THE option. I can´t say you get a LOT of money, but you at least get a bit more power when needed.
what is the most durable solar panel ? do the back connecting panels have an advantage ? I think people don't factor in enough how degradation rate and life expectancy coupled with inflation and discounting future returns to today effect panel selection decision . I bought LG neon 2 350 but am considering the Prime or Maxion for another project. soo little info on this question I would love a video on it, especially the maths and financials
I have a flat roof. My panels are laying straight, my perfect angle according to latitude is 24.7°. It will cost me no money to tilt them. Should tilt them at this angle or just let them lay straight?
Tilting your panels to the optimal angle of 24.7° will significantly improve their efficiency compared to leaving them flat. A tilt will allow them to capture more sunlight throughout the year, especially during the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. Since it won’t cost you anything to adjust the tilt, it’s a good idea to align them at this angle for maximum energy production.
Hi, sorry to be off topic, but this is a question on inverters. Currently I am looking to buy a new inverter (old xantrax is not working anymore). So I know I can just get an inverter that supports my system requirements (3.4kW DC - about 490kWh) but since the cost between a 3.8kW inverter is not much for a 6kW , would it be advisable to just get the 6kW model? I do plan to expand with batteries and perhaps more solar panels. In particular looking into the sunny boy brand. Your answer will only be considered for educational purposes and thus no liability will be held to this site or such entity/individual that provides representation/information from it. Thank you, Jess
I did some calculations using 1000kW / m2 directly pointing down on the panels and calculating the loss per angle. The figures I came up with were 1.5% loss @ 10⁰, 6% @ 20⁰, 13.5% @ 30⁰, 23.5% @ 40⁰, 35.5% @ 50⁰ and 50% at 60⁰ off angle. In Melbourne where I live, the latitude is close to 38⁰ (half way between winter and summer angle) with 32⁰ being the optimal as you said. What I don't get however is, my panels are aligned with my roof (22.5⁰). This is ok for summer (sun at 76⁰ which makes panel at 14⁰), but not so good for winter (panel at 61⁰). On my 22.5⁰ roof / panel angle, the sun will be about 40⁰ off (i.e. around 35% loss). Am I doing the maths wrong here?
Have you considered having them on a rack and not on the roof at all ? In Canada and Alaska they adjust the tilt (In Alaska twice per day ? manually. It is also handy that they can clean off the snow). On a carport etc. the aeasthetics might be better or the roof can be more easily made to the perfect tilt.
thanks Finn.. I have had a few quotes for my roof which is 4% to the east - some say tilt frames and some say flat.. you say for rain run off min is 10%... what would you recommend or say about flat on the roof?
Hard to say without seeing your roof - if you are happy to clean/get them cleaned more often, or live with reduced output from dirt, flat is fine. Otherwise tilts are a good option. Often an E/W tilt (half east, half west works well because there are no issues with row spacing - but it depends on the roof.
@@SolarQuotes thanks for quick reply... 2 storey place so no shading.... steel sheeting roof (built in the 50's) and in Adelaide (on 152 north east road vale park - if tat helps.......) i am putting a hatch on the roof for ease of access (for me..lol)
@@SolarQuotes i liked your explanation on your site re some installers insist on the perfect angle (as they are more pedantic) and others are - it's ok... that makes sense... and puts my mind at ease from wondering why some insist on tilt and some flat.... its funny how that makes me more relaxed.. (quotes form your website installers)
Very useful video, thank you. Are you able to say what would be the loss of energy installing panels on a vertical wall instead of 15 degrees (which would need additional mounting racks to provide the angel). The latitude is 41 degrees north, in case that is important. Thanks
I donot agree that angle of solar panels should be as per roof level i.e. flat i.e. Horizontal as per ground level. It should be at least 15 to 20 degree from ground level or as per geographical position of your house and also to face the Sun to get a maximum light on solar panels during whole day .
For Kolkata area (1). 18 to 22 degree is best angle from the surface of earth (2).And always face towards Sun especially toward southern direction to get maximum DC current from Solar panels.
If you want to waste your money, lay them flat on your roof, and buy more panels and batteries due to poor panel design. The best orientation is north-east-west tilt adjusted for the short winter days with the longest evenings. Spend some money on the right design, and enjoy it for the next 25 years. Just laying them on the roof reduces the initial quote for the sales guy, but it is bad for the buyer.
Do the maths and you will realise you don't use all the suns energy in Summer. Why would you?? 45% is ideal for the all important Winter months and flat roof angles of 15 degrees are pointless, useless and generate less.
If you want 45 degree panels - go for it. It all depends on your situation. I've got a 15 degree roof and have saved thousands of dollars with my system which is currently cooling my house, heating my pool, and charging my cars and home battery.
![Intro to Solar Orientation [Solar Schoolhouse]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OR8EQ0DWpPw/mqdefault.jpg)
This panel can put out close to 100 watts ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.
Awesome video. Amazing how nobody points out that the actual angle is overrated.
Well because many things depend on if it is overrated or not.
Living in different areas, like Finland, the yearly average optimal is 40 degrees, however in the winter it is 50-55 degrees. Now leaving the panels at some 15 degree tilt, will decrease your winter production by some 20-50%. In the winter the temperature can be -30 degrees C, and you need every inch of power to heat up your home (if you have electric heating like I do).
The electricity is in general higher during winter times too.
A tilt (that costs) but increase your production on the 4 most important months (Feb/March and October/November) while reducing in the summer when no heat is needed and the system usually overproduce...
Feb production with 5 kw system is (calculated) 100 kWh with 15 degree tilt, and 160 kWh with a 45 degree tilt (170 kWh with a 55 degree tilt).
In March a 55 degree tilt gives 473 kWh, and a 15 degree 348 kWh.
*** Then tilt is really THE option. I can´t say you get a LOT of money, but you at least get a bit more power when needed.
Thanks. You just saved me lots of griff and extra work. I have a cistern to collect rain water.. Do the solar panels effect my rain water..? Thanks.
Genaeral rule is your latitude + 15 * winter and - 15 * summer. Naples Florida is approximately 26 * +15 = app 40 * in winter and 26-15=11* summer
what is the most durable solar panel ? do the back connecting panels have an advantage ? I think people don't factor in enough how degradation rate and life expectancy coupled with inflation and discounting future returns to today effect panel selection decision . I bought LG neon 2 350 but am considering the Prime or Maxion for another project. soo little info on this question I would love a video on it, especially the maths and financials
Wallah that's great!!!! Your video is really an eye opener
I saw another video measured with a volt/amp meter and the difference between their ideal angle 45 degrees and flat was a 66% loss of power!
that's a meaningless test - you care about energy not power at one point in time
I have a flat roof. My panels are laying straight, my perfect angle according to latitude is 24.7°. It will cost me no money to tilt them. Should tilt them at this angle or just let them lay straight?
Tilting your panels to the optimal angle of 24.7° will significantly improve their efficiency compared to leaving them flat. A tilt will allow them to capture more sunlight throughout the year, especially during the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. Since it won’t cost you anything to adjust the tilt, it’s a good idea to align them at this angle for maximum energy production.
Great information man... Thank you from Alabama in the us
Hi, sorry to be off topic, but this is a question on inverters. Currently I am looking to buy a new inverter (old xantrax is not working anymore). So I know I can just get an inverter that supports my system requirements (3.4kW DC - about 490kWh) but since the cost between a 3.8kW inverter is not much for a 6kW , would it be advisable to just get the 6kW model? I do plan to expand with batteries and perhaps more solar panels. In particular looking into the sunny boy brand.
Your answer will only be considered for educational purposes and thus no liability will be held to this site or such entity/individual that provides representation/information from it.
Thank you,
Jess
I did some calculations using 1000kW / m2 directly pointing down on the panels and calculating the loss per angle. The figures I came up with were 1.5% loss @ 10⁰, 6% @ 20⁰, 13.5% @ 30⁰, 23.5% @ 40⁰, 35.5% @ 50⁰ and 50% at 60⁰ off angle. In Melbourne where I live, the latitude is close to 38⁰ (half way between winter and summer angle) with 32⁰ being the optimal as you said. What I don't get however is, my panels are aligned with my roof (22.5⁰). This is ok for summer (sun at 76⁰ which makes panel at 14⁰), but not so good for winter (panel at 61⁰). On my 22.5⁰ roof / panel angle, the sun will be about 40⁰ off (i.e. around 35% loss). Am I doing the maths wrong here?
Have you considered having them on a rack and not on the roof at all ? In Canada and Alaska they adjust the tilt (In Alaska twice per day ? manually. It is also handy that they can clean off the snow). On a carport etc. the aeasthetics might be better or the roof can be more easily made to the perfect tilt.
Angle depends on latitude. And should oriented for highest consumption season
How to calculate the difference of energy output between angles?
Great explanation.
thanks Finn..
I have had a few quotes for my roof which is 4% to the east - some say tilt frames and some say flat..
you say for rain run off min is 10%...
what would you recommend or say about flat on the roof?
Hard to say without seeing your roof - if you are happy to clean/get them cleaned more often, or live with reduced output from dirt, flat is fine. Otherwise tilts are a good option. Often an E/W tilt (half east, half west works well because there are no issues with row spacing - but it depends on the roof.
@@SolarQuotes thanks for quick reply...
2 storey place so no shading.... steel sheeting roof (built in the 50's) and in Adelaide (on 152 north east road vale park - if tat helps.......)
i am putting a hatch on the roof for ease of access (for me..lol)
@@SolarQuotes i liked your explanation on your site re some installers insist on the perfect angle (as they are more pedantic) and others are - it's ok... that makes sense... and puts my mind at ease from wondering why some insist on tilt and some flat.... its funny how that makes me more relaxed.. (quotes form your website installers)
What if the roof’s is facing north? I read in some article the solar panel should be facing south. Thanks in advance.
In the southern hemisphere, north is the ideal direction to face :)
@@SolarQuotes I’m in pacific particularly the Philippines. So it is no ideal to face it in the north. Thanks
Very useful video, thank you. Are you able to say what would be the loss of energy installing panels on a vertical wall instead of 15 degrees (which would need additional mounting racks to provide the angel). The latitude is 41 degrees north, in case that is important. Thanks
Chris - see the power loss table halfway down this page: www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/direction/
1:34 I made this mistake; rain + dust left hard stain on the panels.
Very helpful
I donot agree that angle of solar panels should be as per roof level i.e. flat i.e. Horizontal as per ground level. It should be at least 15 to 20 degree from ground level or as per geographical position of your house and also to face the Sun to get a maximum light on solar panels during whole day .
I from Kolkata, India ,what degree is perfect to get maximum solar energy generation?
For Kolkata area (1). 18 to 22 degree is best angle from the surface of earth (2).And always face towards Sun especially toward southern direction to get maximum DC current from Solar panels.
This is great
What if it’s mounted on the walls of an outside wall?
It will produce little DC current by solar panels if proper light is not getting from Sun.
@@ranjibborah3274That’s true no matter how it’s mounted. However if wall mounting is the only option then………
But what if the roof is flat?
Simple -- minimum current .
If you want to waste your money, lay them flat on your roof, and buy more panels and batteries due to poor panel design. The best orientation is north-east-west tilt adjusted for the short winter days with the longest evenings. Spend some money on the right design, and enjoy it for the next 25 years. Just laying them on the roof reduces the initial quote for the sales guy, but it is bad for the buyer.
So what you're saying, is it doesn't actually matter.
Do the maths and you will realise you don't use all the suns energy in Summer. Why would you?? 45% is ideal for the all important Winter months and flat roof angles of 15 degrees are pointless, useless and generate less.
If you want 45 degree panels - go for it. It all depends on your situation. I've got a 15 degree roof and have saved thousands of dollars with my system which is currently cooling my house, heating my pool, and charging my cars and home battery.
Rule 1 don't put your panels on your roof
well lucky you have plenty of land, some of us are not.