How Panel Placement & Solar Power Plant Placement Affects Energy Production?
We all know that solar panel placement plays a role in the efficiency of energy production. Here's the science bit:
- Optimal Angle: The ideal tilt angle for solar panels is generally considered to be equal to your latitude. For example, if you live at 40 degrees north latitude, a 40-degree tilt would be best. For Oslo, that would be ~59 degrees, and the same for Stockholm. You don’t have to be clinically precise, either.
- Forgiveness: Solar panels are fairly forgiving. Deviations of 10-15 degrees from the optimal angle won't cause a dramatic decrease in energy production (around a 10% reduction).
- Flat Roofs? No Problem: Don't worry if your roof isn't perfectly angled. Mounting systems can be used to tilt the panels towards the sun, even on flat rooftops.
When thinking of solar power plants, there is one more aspect to consider. The type of soil underneath your power plant matters. How so? The ground beneath the panels acts as a heat sink. Materials with high thermal conductivity, say, rocks, can help dissipate heat from the panels, maintaining optimal operating temperatures for better efficiency. Poorly conductive soils can trap heat, reducing power output.
Furthermore, solar power plants require stable foundations to withstand strong winds and even earthquakes. Geological surveys are crucial to identify areas with minimal seismic activity to prevent damage and ensure long-term panel performance.
With the multitude of factors, placing a solar power plant must be a tough task, you might think. You’d be correct. That’s why we developed software to do it automatically. Another automatic process is the conversion of AC to DC (yes, the Australian band got its name from that).
AC (to) DC
How Does An Inverter Convert AC to DC?
Imagine you have a garden hose spraying water in one constant direction (DC) - that's how solar panels work, producing a direct current (DC) of electricity. But your appliances, like lights and TVs, need electricity that flows back and forth (AC), like a sprinkler constantly switching directions. We need to somehow translate one to another.
An inverter acts like a translator between the languages of electricity. Here's the magic:
- The inverter receives the DC electricity from your solar panels.
- Using super-fast electronic switches, the inverter rapidly turns the DC current on and off hundreds of times per second. This creates a series of quick bursts of electricity, like a rapidly flicked on/off switch.
- While the on/off pulses might seem chaotic, the inverter uses clever circuitry to smooth out these bursts. Imagine a dimmer switch gradually turning the light up and down - the inverter does the same for the DC pulses, creating a smooth, wave-like flow of electricity.
- This resulting wave is alternating current (AC), the type of electricity your home uses! Now your appliances can party with the sunshine-generated power.
If, after reading this, you’re still not sure how it all works, take a look at the video here.
