The more sun your solar panels can soak up, the more energy you will generate. Sunlight travels in straight lines from the sun to your panels, so it’s important to tilt your panels in the direction to catch the most sun throughout the year. The equator gets the most direct sunlight at all times. That is why in the northern hemisphere, we point solar panels to the south and angle them according to our latitude. This creates our optimal orientation to soak up the most sun for photovoltaic energy.
Nevada gets a lot of sun and we rarely have clouds, but the state is also fairly far north. This makes Nevada a great place for solar panels if you have the optimal orientation and tilt.
Why Is Solar Panel Orientation Important?
Solar panel orientation is the direction the panels face. You may have noticed that all homes in the same neighborhood have panels on the same side of their roof. This represents the orientation.
All solar panels in North America should face South, toward the equator to catch the most complete angles of sunlight throughout the day and throughout the year. But you will also need to watch out for obstructions like shade from trees and nearby buildings. If your roof doesn’t have a south-facing side, use your property layout to find a secondary location that can face south.
The Role of Solar Panel Tilt
Solar panel tilt is the angle of solar panels in the direction of the orientation. For example, solar panels at the equator face straight up, they don’t need much tilt at all to catch the most sun. Outside of the equator, your tilt should closely match your latitude which measures distance from the equator.
Nevada’s latitude ranges from 36 (Las Vegas at the Southern tip) to 41 (Cordero at the Northern edge). Check the latitude of your home to determine the optimal tilt toward the south for your Nevada solar panels.
Most homes have fixed-angle panels for safety and durability. But if you have 2-4 season adjustable panel mounts, know that the optimal tilt varies from around 15 to 50 between summer and winter due to the slight tilt of the planet for optimal energy production throughout the year.
Maximizing Solar Gain in Nevada
Nevada gets a lot of sun and very few clouds, which provides great solar gains. Maximizing your solar gain will depend on choosing the best roof surface and adapting your solar panel angle based on the inherent angle of the roof. This can be done by professionals with adjustable mounting frames. Be sure to account for challenges like shading from mountains or buildings in case you do not have completely full sunlight over your roof.
Conclusion
Orientation and tilt are important for your solar panel efficiency to make the most of energy production in Nevada’s great sunshine. Consult with your solar professionals for expert advice on the best location, direction, and angle to place your solar panels. Contact us today to get a free quote on a solar panel system.
