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Orienting
your Solar Array:
It is important for proper
system operation that the array be oriented true South (if you are
located in the northern hemisphere). The directions of magnetic South
and true South differ from one another depending on geographic location.
This variance is called declination. Check the declination for your
region in order to extrapolate true South from a compass heading of
magnetic South. The map below shows the magnetic declination for the US.
For example, central Oklahoma falls between the 8 degree E and the 10
degree E lines. This means that the north point of a compass points
about 9 degrees E of true north. So true north is actually 9 degrees to
the west of where the compass points.
Optimum
Tilt Angle Calculator:
 This
calculator is for collectors facing south at fixed tilt and gives the
best angle for
maximum yearly solar radiation
performance.
To optimize performance in the winter, the collector can be tilted 15 °
greater than the latitude; to optimize performance in the summer, the
collector can be tilted 15 ° less than the latitude.
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