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Solar Site Assessment

For optimum power production from a photovoltaic array, the array must be facing the sun at a perpendicular angle. Because the sun is traversing our sky, the orientation of the solar array would need to be constantly changing. For cost reasons, this is not practical for most installations so a compromised location needs to be determined.

Solar plots can be generated at the following website:
http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.html

Photovoltaic Graph

Azimuth
Since we are in the northern hemisphere, the array must face True South. For Haywood  ECM service area, True South is 5 degrees West of Magnetic South.

Tilt Angle
Seasonal changes of the sun’s altitude must be considered to optimize a system’s performance. The following details outline the optimum tilt angle of the photovoltaic array for different seasonal loads:

Year round loads  - tilt angle equals latitude
Winter loads - Tilt angle equals latitude plus 15 degrees
Summer loads - tilt angle equals latitude minus 15 degrees
Latitude of Haywood EMC service area - 35 degrees

The following is a website to determine exact latitude:
http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html

Shading
Be sure that the array is not shaded from 9 AM to 3 PM on any day throughout the year. Be careful to identify any possible obstacles such as trees, buildings, etc which could result in shading the array.
Location of the array
In addition to proper orientation, the array must be supported and protected from physical damage such as from wind, snow, ice, and lightning damage. If located on a roof, care must be taken to determine if the roof structure can support the weight of an array. Seek professional engineering help. In addition, look for safety hazards such as power lines and other service entrance cabling.

Reference
Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual
Published by Solar Energy International

 

Author: William D. Wright, PE
NABCEP - Certified PV Installer
bwright@powerquestglobal.com

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Waynesville Physical Address

376 Grindstone Road
Waynesville, NC 28785
(828) 452-2281 or (800) 951-6088
(828) 926-4290 Fax

Lake Toxaway Physical Address

298 Blue Ridge Road
Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
(828) 966-4215
(828) 883-3874 Fax

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©2023 Haywood EMC. All Rights Reserved.

  • About Us
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Board of Directors
    • Management Team
    • Employment
    • Cooperative Principles
      • Cooperative Difference Video
    • Service Territory Map
    • Together We Save
    • News Posts
  • Member Services
    • Capital Credits
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Outstanding Capital Credits
    • Billing and Payment Information
      • Easy Ways to Pay
      • Delinquent Bill Timeline
    • Service Rules & Regulations
      • Smart Meter Energy Usage Data Privacy/Security Advisory
      • Title VI Statement of Non-discrimination
    • New Service
      • Application for Electric Service
    • Co-op Connections
    • Rate Schedules
      • EV Rates
      • Time Of Day Rates
    • Safety
      • Storm Preparedness
      • Safety Quiz
      • Tree Trimming
    • Service Forms
      • Service Order Form
      • Medical Condition And Equipment Form
    • Text Outage Alerts
  • Products
    • HomeServe Protection Plans
    • Generators
      • Generator Loan
      • Generlink
    • Heat Pump/Weatherization Loan
      • Heat Pumps
    • Security Lighting
  • Your Community
    • Bright Ideas Grants
    • Project HEMC
    • Around the Community
    • The Haywood EMC Podcast
    • Carolina Country Magazine
    • TSE Sports Camp Scholarship
    • News
    • TSE Scholarship
    • Youth Tour
  • Energy Efficiency
    • Electric Vehicles
    • Whole House Energy Audit
    • NC GreenPower
    • Together We Save
    • Energy Star Home Advisor
  • Renewable Energy
    • Renewable Energy Site Assessments
      • Solar Site Assessment
      • Hydro Site Assessment
      • Wind Turbine Site Assessment
    • Renewable Rates
      • RGR Rate
      • RGS Rate
    • Solar with Haywood EMC
      • Certificate Of Completion
      • Typical Components Of A Solar Interconnected System
    • Contracts With Haywood EMC
    • Renewable Energy Information
    • Renewable Energy Sources
    • Interconnection With Haywood EMC
      • Interconnect Application