Magnetic Declination Solar Panels

In any pv system related project we tend to set up solar panels to face the solar south rather than the magnetic south.

Magnetic declination solar panels.

Figure the magnetic declination the angle between. Two examples to demonstrate the difference. Find the magnetic declination in mexico. Click on the map to find the magnetic declination at your location.

If you live in san diego california your magnetic declination is about 11 east. Begin with a compass to find magnetic north and accordingly south. The solar pathfinder has an adjustment feature to compensate for magnetic declination. If your magnetic declination is west negative rotate your panels east.

The next question is at what angle from horizontal should the panels be tilted. If a magnetic compass alone is used to determine where to point the array you may not capture the maximum amount of solar radiation. Using magnetic declination information on the solar pathfinder. If the declination is west of the magnetic south then you add the declination value to the magnetic south to get the true south â let us say you have your solar power system in new york city.

After finding it on the internet the magnetic declination 13 0 and 28 minutes east. Some compasses allow the declination to be set if yours does then just set your local declination and you are good to go. Search the web for magnetic declination to find the correction for your location. Gently pull out the brass tab located to the outside of the compass about to release the magnetic declination dial the center triangle and black disk.

Books and articles on solar energy often give the advice that the tilt should be equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer. If your magnetic declination is east positive rotate your panels west. Calculate the exact southern orientation for positioning your panels.