| ign="center"> | | | | track the sun from east to west. There are also |
| The angle at which the sun hits a solar cell effects | | | | dual axis tracking solar systems that track both |
| the amount of solar energy produced. The | | | | from east to west and up and down, following |
| following article explains these effects as well as | | | | the sun's altitude and azimuth to optimize |
| some common residential solar systems | | | | production throughout the season. In the winter, |
| characteristics such as tracking and mounting | | | | the sun is much lower in the sky than in the |
| solutions. You may be surprised to find out that | | | | summer therefore solar energy systems that can |
| reflected light can actually produce solar energy | | | | tilt up or down have a greater chance of catching |
| even if you think it may not. | | | | all of the sun's energy. |
| The Sun's Irradiance Throughout the Day | | | | Forms of Sun Irradiance |
| Many graphs and charts, found on the Internet | | | | The sun reaches the solar panels in various paths, |
| via searching, show a solar cell module's output | | | | not just directly from a sun's beam being directly |
| when it faces south throughout the 4 days | | | | overhead. Because of this fact, there may be |
| following the fall equinox. These graphs most | | | | good generation of solar electricity on even |
| often show a bell curve of the power output, | | | | overcast days or when you would not think the |
| where peak production occurs around 12 to 1pm | | | | sunlight is of proper intensity. |
| with a morning ramp-up and a decline as the sun | | | | There are three types of irradiance. 1. Diffuse |
| goes down. This is due to intensity of light as well | | | | Irradiation: Scattered light comes from the whole |
| as deflection. As the days get shorter, the total | | | | sky. Diffuse light from the sun does not exist on |
| irradiation falls as expected. The sun no longer is | | | | blue sky days where there are not clouds. On the |
| directly square with the panels, since it is lower in | | | | other hand, it is found a lot in areas of smoggy or |
| the sky. | | | | cloudy weather. |
| Panel Tracking Devices for Home Solar Energy | | | | 2. Direct Irradiation: A beam of sun light goes |
| Systems | | | | straight from the sun to the solar module and |
| The best way to get around this decline in energy | | | | directly interacts with the solar cells |
| output is to place the solar array on a tracking | | | | 3. Reflected Light (i.e. the Albedo effect): This is |
| device to keep it in direct sunlight for more time | | | | light that is reflected or scattered by the ground |
| throughout the day. Looking at a sunflower can | | | | or nearby surfaces like trees or other buldings. |
| give you a good idea. The sunflower wakes up in | | | | Snow gives off a lot of this albedo light and grass |
| the morning facing due East to catch the morning | | | | or dirt gives off very little. |
| sun. As the day progresses, the sunflower turns | | | | Sun Path Diagrams and Home Solar Energy |
| its head to track as much sunlight as possible. It's | | | | Systems |
| perplexing why sunflowers grow so tall and | | | | A sun path diagram plots the position of the sun |
| sturdy? They soak up as much sun as possible. | | | | throughout the year. This is very useful when |
| There are two different types of tracking | | | | designing and installing solar arrays, to optimize the |
| systems for residential solar energy units. Often | | | | performance by determining the best angle and |
| there are alternate methods to mount a solar | | | | to avoid shadows from trees, vents, other |
| array. You could mount the solar panels on a | | | | buildings, etc. Understanding where the sun traces |
| fence, a flat wall, on a light pole, but the methods | | | | across the sky at your home, allows you to place |
| that follow are the most common. | | | | your solar energy unit in the correct location. You |
| 1) Horizontal or flat mount array favors the | | | | can also determine if you may need to |
| summer months when the sun is highest. | | | | supplement your solar power system with a |
| 2) Fixed angle at the optimum tilt angle yields the | | | | tracking device. |
| most kWh for a fixed array over the course of | | | | Expanding Options for Residential Solar Energy |
| the entire year. | | | | New solar energy technology is continually coming |
| These two types of tracking systems create | | | | to market that takes the idea of solar power to |
| dramatically more exposure and higher sun hours | | | | a new and simpler levels. Homeowners, while it is |
| all year long, but still more in the summer months. | | | | very useful to know the nuts and bolts of solar |
| This relates to the overall need to calculate and | | | | power systems, do not have to know the level |
| take into account the total amount of energy | | | | of detail as presented in this article. New solar |
| required per month and per year then average | | | | technology and home solar panel rental services |
| out to the highest electric needs on a monthly | | | | provide energy efficiency and better control of |
| basis. All of this data is included with the solar | | | | power consumption. These solar power rental |
| energy sizing estimates. | | | | programs enable electric services that are more |
| There are single axis tracking solar systems that | | | | responsive, more reliable, and more renewable. |