Estimating production for different tilt angles with PV Watts

From HeatSpring.com PV Boot Camp Discussion Board

Q:

For Solar Energy Fundamentals, do you have any good resources on energy optimization for different tilt angles and pitch? Often times I find myself constrained to a certain area or thinking ahead to a potential second phase for a client. Any good materials related to this topic would be appreciated.

A:

The simplest tool is PV Watts http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/

In the past when I have had consulting jobs for students setting up residential installation companies, I would make a table with the common roof tilts and annual production percentages as compared to optimal tilt and azimuth. I would get the data from PV Watts.

There is a table similar to that in the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Resource guide. I know I show the table from NABCEP in my video on system sizing in this course.

Once you use PV Watts enough, you can have a good idea of production estimates for your local area.

Thanks,

Sean White

From HeatSpring.com PV Boot Camp Discussion Board