Examples: Solar Altitude and Module Tilt
The examples below look at how to determine the tilt of a solar module when provided with information
about location and time of year. It will follow the steps outlined below:
1) Understanding the information provided
2) Determining the altitude angle of the sun
3) Determining the optimal tilt of the module
Question:
You are installing a PV system in Hobart (latitude 42.83˚ South) so that its output is as high as possible
in winter at solar noon. Determine the module tilt and direction required.
Answer:
Step One: Understanding the Information Provided
The latitude of the location is 42.83° South. This is a measure of how far away the location is from the
Equator (the Equator has a latitude of 0°).
Winter: A system set up for best performance in winter will have to be designed for when the sun is
furthest away in the sky and hence low in the sky. The sun is furthest north when it is over Tropic of
Cancer on June 21st each year.
Solar noon: is when the sun is highest in the sky for that day. It is also the time when the sun is directly
north of the location and midway between sunrise and sunset.
Step Two: Determining the Altitude Angle of the Sun
When the sun is over the Tropic of Cancer the following formula can be used to determine the altitude
angle of the sun:
t = 90° − latitude − 23.45°
Using the information provided above this gives us:
t = 90° − 42.83° − 23.45° = 23.72° North
So graphically this tells us that on June 21st at solar noon the sun will be at an altitude of 23.72° to
horizontal in the northern part of the sky.
Step Three: Determining the Tilt of the Module
To determine the tilt of a solar module for a particular sun altitude we use the following equation:
Module tilt = 180° − 90° − Altitude of the Sun
Therefore since the altitude of the sun in our example is 23.72° north we will have:
Module Tilt = 180° − 90° − 23.72° = 66.28° North
Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd. Copyright © 2011
Question:
Katherine is at 14.47° South. Determine the module tilt which should be used so that the module points
directly at the sun at solar noon on the Summer Solstice.
Answer:
Step One: Understanding the Information Provided
Latitude = 14.47° South
Summer solstice: refers to the time when the sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn (23.45° South of the
equator)
Solar noon: is when the sun is highest in the sky for that day. It is also the time when the sun is directly
north of the location and midway between sunrise and sunset.
Step Two: Determining the Altitude Angle of the Sun
When the sun is over the Tropic of Capricorn the following formula can be used to determine the
altitude angle of the sun:
t = 90° − latitude + 23.45°
Using the information provided above this gives us:
t = 90° − 14.47° + 23.45° = 98.98°
So graphically this tells us that on the summer solstice at solar noon the sun will be at an altitude of
98.98° to horizontal from the north.
Altitude is defined as the angle between the Earths horizontal and the sun – so it should always be
below 90°.
The fact we obtained an angle of 98.98° when looking to the north means that the sun is actually in the
southern part of the sky, so the actual altitude angle is:
180° − 98.98° North = 81.02° South
Step Three: Determining the Tilt of the Module
To determine the tilt of a solar module for a particular sun altitude we use the following equation:
Module Tilt = 180° − 90° − Altitude of the Sun
Since the altitude is less than 90 degrees when facing South, we therefore use the direction from south
to calculate our module tilt angle and get:
Module Tilt = 180° − 90° − 81.02° (South) = 8.98°
Global Sustainable Energy Solutions Pty. Ltd. Copyright © 2011
