Direction and Angle of Installation
In the northern hemisphere, evacuated tube collectors should be installed
pointing towards true south (or 0o). This is, however, not the same as magnetic
south (or the south that your compass shows you). This difference between
magnetic south and true south is called the azimuth. Depending on the longitude
of your location (direction East and West) determines your azimuth. Azimuth is
different from location to location, and you should align your solar collector
on the azimuth for optimum performance.
In addition, solar collectors must be installed at the right angle in order to ensure that they perform with the highest possible efficiency and deliver the highest returns on investment and the shortest payback period possible. The optimum installation angle for solar collectors is your latitude (your position North-South) plus 15 degrees. For instance, you live at 30 degrees North Latitude; your solar collectors should be installed at 45 degrees – 30 degrees plus 15 degrees.
In addition, solar collectors must be installed at the right angle in order to ensure that they perform with the highest possible efficiency and deliver the highest returns on investment and the shortest payback period possible. The optimum installation angle for solar collectors is your latitude (your position North-South) plus 15 degrees. For instance, you live at 30 degrees North Latitude; your solar collectors should be installed at 45 degrees – 30 degrees plus 15 degrees.
Solar Resources
How Solar Works
http://www.eere.energy.gov
The Solar Tribune
http://solartribune.com/your-home/
Guide to Solar Thermal
http://solartribune.com/solar-thermal-power/
Solar Basics from NREL
http://www.nrel.gov
Solar Resource Maps
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
PV Solar Technology Overview
http://www.nrel.gov/learning/re_photovoltaics.html
DOE Solar Technologies Program
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/
DSIRE Database
http://www.dsireusa.org/