Adjusting the solar array tilt angle based on the position of the sun and the time of year will increase the solar panel array's potential output. To optimize energy production
in the summer, decrease the solar arrays tilt angle from the vertical. The winter tilt angle is just the opposite. There are several on-line resources that report the optimal solar
array tilt angle for your area based on the season and your distance north or south from the equator.
Irrespective of the time of year or the current tilt angle, your Solar Array should always face true South if you're in the Northern Hemisphere; likewise true North if you are in the Southern Hemisphere.
Many sources suggest calculating your tilt angle by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter, and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. At my latitude that would be 18 degrees
in the summer. Yet another in-depth study suggest "For summer, take the latitude, multiply by 0.92, and subtract 24.3 degrees." That would be 6 degrees at my latitude. A 12 degree difference between the two opinions.
Bottom line, I did my own testing and found 10 degrees in midsummer to be optimal in my area. Best practice, do your own testing and build your array risers accordingly. Besides, it's fun!
The hinges and risers with this Solar Panel Array design make these seasonal changes a snap. For example,
the risers shown here provide a 34 degree tilt angle which is optimal for spring and fall in my area. I also have risers providing an 10 degree tilt angle for summer and a 56 degree tilt angle
for winter. The risers can be alternated from one season to another with four riser hinge pins. The combiner box cross member can be moved from one set of risers to another by simply removing
and replacing a hinge pin on each side of the combiner box cross member. Tilt angles discussed here are defined as 90 degrees being vertical and Zero degrees being horizontal, i.e.: flat on the ground.
Again, the optimal tilt angles for my area are:
56 degrees for winter.
34 degrees for spring and fall.
10 degrees for summer
