| Angling catches the sun
No matter what type of solar energy technology
you choose, your system will work most efficiently when the
solar panels are perpendicular to the sun. The challenge is
tracking the sun as the seasons change.
Trackers improve performance
Mounted on a tracker, your solar electric
system automatically follows the sun through the sky all day,
all year. In Minnesota, a solar electric system on a tracker
can generate 15% more electricity than if it was stationary.
Tilting by hand's worth the work
If a mechanical tracker won't work for
you, mount your solar electric panels on an adjustable rack.
Changing the angles by hand a few times a year to match the sun's seasonal height in the sky is simple and takes just
a few minutes.
Point thermal systems towards winter
sun
Once solar hot water systems are installed
they can't be moved. Mount them at a 45- to 60-degree angle
to catch the low winter sun.
| 
(Photo
by MRES)
Solar electric systems
are used year-round. |
| 
(Photo
by MRES)
Solar heating systems are used primarily
in the winter. |
|
