Hi, i want to please a solar panel in Lima Peru, my Latitude is -2 and longitude -77. I understand that since i am in the southern hemisphere, my panel should be pointing north. However, i am using a program called pvdesigner, and according to this, y should face my panel with and azimuth of 00degrees (0 = south) and a tilt of 60degrees. Does this make any sense?thanks
It doesn't make sense to me. I am at latitude 37.7,and my panels face south at about 38 degrees. Yours should be pointed north as you suggest. Being so close to the equator, and in the absence of any better information, an angle of 2 degrees would be appropriate. However, choosing the best angle will greatly to your overall efficiency, so I would try to find a more credible source, How about the folks from whom you buy the panels. They would know precisely. By the way, if you haven't installed the system yet you might consider going to a high voltage system to cut known line losses in the conductors between the panes and the inverter, I did that plus increasing the conductor size over that recommended by the manufacturer. I gained about two percent in efficiency
Typically, solar panels are installed facing the same as your latitude = 2 degrees to the North measured from horizontal. 60 degrees from vertical = 30 degrees from horzontal will give almost as much power in June as in December = beginning of Summer. You can face your panels straight up = zero tilt from vertical = better for December/ not so good in June. Usually, the same tilt as your North facing roof is best as it simplifies installation and reduces wind loading. Shade from trees etc will much reduce the power you get. Neil
