solar panel

[allan873]

I have a solar panel which I usually just put on the roof of my van and it works quite well but I have noticed on some roads there are panels to operate warning signs which are facing south and at an angle to the sun can someone toll me the angle please. Allan

 

[Damian]

Allan, the sun rises in the East , tracks through South to set in the West.

The angle the panel is set at is not critical as long as it is facing the sun, approximately.

The difference between it laying flat on the van roof, and being angled can make a difference of about 1 volt on a good day, and if you want to make the most out of the sun, then you have to keep altering it both axially and angle as the sun rotates and rises and sets

 

[rob_jax]

Allan,

The roadside solar PV panels are set so that they gain the maximum amount of energy from the sun in winter conditions - when the sun doesn't rise very high above the horizon. Having the panel "face" the sun at right angles extracts the maximum energy, and this is obviously important in the very short winter days - and during the summer the panel generates more than enough electricity even with the "wrong" angle.

However, this may not be a problem for you - if you only intend to use the panel during the summer - then the sun is much higher in the sky and a horizontally mounted panel is satisfactory.

But as you use the panel outside the height of summer, then try an angle of 45 degrees for spring and autumn. This will give a reasonable capture for the sun moving across the sky.

Robert

 

[allan873]

Thanks for getting back to me as I only use the solar panel in the summer, then I will just put it on the roof of the van.

thanks. Allan

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Allan,

If your solar panel can be easily accessed from the ground, remember to secure it in some way - simple pad lock should do.