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Determining best site locations for solar energy
If anyone tells you we can't harness enough sunlight in northern or cold climates, tell them to read more about solar power generation in Germany. Germany is a cold climate country and is located much further north on the globe than states like New York. Yet, Germany has the most solar panels installed in the world, and, Germany's best solar resource rates worse than NY state's worst solar resource. In other words, don't worry about not having enough exposure to sunlight in a northerly climate.
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pole mounted solar panels |
For solar panels, there is really only one main consideration in terms of location: unobstructed, maximum exposure to the sun. Here are other considerations:
- In our (northern) hemisphere, southern exposure is optimal; meaning, the solar panels face due south.
- Anything that would temporarily or permanently shade the panels would be considered an obstruction. Solar panels in four-season climates may be best placed in a location where they can be easily cleared of snow. Pole mounted solar panels make for easy access for cleaning and repairs in cold climates, but you will want to consider the height placement off of the ground or building so that they will be placed higher than any snow accumulation. Pole-mounting also allows you to position your panels in the direction that is ideal for sun exposure.
- Rooftops are a popular place in congested neighborhoods and in warmer climates, but in rural areas and colder climates, rooftops may not be ideal. They can be difficult to reach for cleaning or repairs in freezing conditions. So, although a rooftop is a location to consider, your property may offer better places to locate solar panels.
- If your location can get high winds, you may want to consider locations that offer maximum sun exposure as well as the best shelter from wind.
- For a fixed solar panel installation (meaning, you do not purchase a system that automatically moves the panels with the sun), you will want to investigate which tilt is optimal for your location. For instance, here in central New York, solar panels are optimally faced due south at a tilt of 41 degrees.
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