Perfect pitch/tilt for solar panels?

[Lord Farquart]

What is the perfect angle/pitch for a solar panel during the year. I know it has to be true North Longitude. But what pitch at latitude? I guess adjusting it every month will give best results, but what if you only want to adjust it say 4 times a year. From what I have read the calculation is latitude +15 degrees. But it does not exactly state what time of year.

Then it is also stated +- 15 degrees from Summer to Winter. Is that (latitude+15degrees)-15 degrees for Summer and (latitude+15degrees)+15 for Winter?

Quick guide anyone?

 

[savage]

-15 latitude +15 if I'm not mistaken...

 

[Alacrity]

If your roof is looking North at about 30º pitch and the panel is flat on the roof your daily averages throughout the year is pretty constant. In March and September it is slightly more and June the lowest.

There is 12% difference between maximum/day and minimum/day. This was calculated for Pretoria.

For real advantage you need to track for the time of day.

 

[T-Man]

Have a look at http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-angle-calculator.html

 

[Lord Farquart]

Have a look at http://solarelectricityhandbook.com/solar-angle-calculator.html

Thanks. That is the quick guide I was looking for. Will compare it to this when I get time.

http://www.saao.ac.za/public/viewing-the-sky/sun/approximate-position-of-the-sun-altitude-and-azimuth-from-any-location-at-any-time-for-low-accuracy-calculation/