Tyler Colenbrander

Alexa Funahashi
Senior STEM
Period 2
3/27/19

Solar Lab
Variable 2: Solar Panel Location/Orientation
Abstract
In this experiment, we wanted to test the optimum angle and placement of the sun for our solar
panels. To do this we tested each direction (north, south, east, west) with the panel angled at 15
degree increments up to 90 degrees, and we then recorded the voltage of a 6 volt solar panel. The
final results concluded that the best angle and orientation was around 60 degrees East, based off
of our location. Out of the 3 trials, the first trial had the highest voltages overall due to the
weather. The second and third trials were conducted on a cloudy day rather than a sunny day
used for trial 1.

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Table of Contents

Abstract………………………………………………………………………………...pg. 1
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….pg. 3
Methods………………………………………………………………………………...pg. 3
Results………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 4
Discussion……………………………………………………………………………...pg. 6
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………..pg. 8

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Introduction
Our classroom aims to be off-grid, so we have zero net energy use. To do this, we plan on
having a solar system on top of our classroom connected to a battery system. To maximize the
power generated by the solar system, we want to find out the best location and orientation for
our panels, so we can also use the least amount of panels possible. We want to do some tests
here to determine the effect that orientation and position actually have on the power output. We
do have to keep in mind that different latitudes and longitudes will have different sun locations in
the sky, so the orientation will have to be re-calibrated based on each location. Our test will be
based on our location here in Novato, CA. (38.1074° N, 122.5697° W)

Equations:
Power (watts) = Volts (volts) * Current (amperes)
Volts (V) = Current (amperes) + Resistance (ohms)

Methods
To measure the voltage of a solar panel at various angles and orientations, a solar panel was
set outside and connected to a voltmeter. At each orientation (North, South, East, and West)
and angle (0 to 90 degrees, 15 degree increments), the solar panel was held still as the voltage
was recorded.

Apparatus
We used a 6V, 1.5W solar panel attached to a voltmeter with a range of 20V DC. They were
attached using alligator clips. This system was held up by hand and angled using the level app
on an iPhone.

Materials:
● Solar Panel
● Volt meter
● Protractor
● Wood blocks

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Procedure:
1. Place the solar panel flat on the ground and record the panel voltage. Also, take note of
the sun’s current position in the sky. This voltage recording is the control.
2. Then elevate one side of the panel so that it makes a 15 degree with the ground. Point
the panel on a north facing azimuth and record the voltage using your volt meter.
3. Keeping the panel facing north, increase the tilt of the panel to 30 degrees and record
the voltage. Then, record the voltage at a 45, 60, 75, and 90 degree tilt as well.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with different azimuths: south, west, and east.
5. Compare the voltages to determine the optimal orientation for a solar panel in our area
at the given time we tested.

Results
The more sunlight exposed to the solar panel, the more voltage was given. Below are the graphs
and charts of the data we collected from 3 trials. See Appendix for raw data in Lab Notebook.
North South West East
Tilt Angle(°) North Tilt Angle(°) South Tilt Angle(°) West Tilt Angle(°) East
15 7.13 15 7.15 15 6.7 15 7.25
30 7.11 30 7.12 30 6.21 30 7.32
45 7.02 45 7.09 45 6.2 45 7.31
60 6.96 60 7 60 6.21 60 7.33
75 6.79 75 6.99 75 6.21 75 7.32
90 6.61 90 6.8 90 6.22 90 7.28
Average 6.94 Average 7.03 Average 6.29 Average 7.30

North South West East

Tilt Angle(°) North Tilt Angle(°) South Tilt Angle(°) West Tilt Angle(°) East
15 6.67 15 6.66 15 6.64 15 6.88
30 6.65 30 6.6 30 6.59 30 7.01
45 6.59 45 6.56 45 6.53 45 7.02
60 6.52 60 6.45 60 6.46 60 7.07
75 6.41 75 6.28 75 6.4 75 7.03
90 6.28 90 6.1 90 6.27 90 6.97
Average 6.52 Average 6.44 Average 6.48 Average 7.00

North South West East

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Tilt Angle(°) North Tilt Angle(°) South Tilt Angle(°) West Tilt Angle(°) East
15 6.73 15 6.66 15 6.58 15 6.74
30 6.7 30 6.61 30 6.55 30 6.75
45 6.65 45 6.55 45 6.51 45 6.74
60 6.6 60 6.47 60 6.44 60 6.74
75 6.51 75 6.38 75 6.32 75 6.69
90 6.41 90 6.29 90 6.29 90 6.62
Average 6.60 Average 6.49 Average 6.45 Average 6.71
When the solar panel was faced away from the sun, the less the voltage. The highest total
voltage for all 3 trials was around 60 degrees East. The best angle for the North, South, and West
direction was 15 degrees.
For the first trial, the sun’s position was around 103 degrees East. For the second and
third trial, which were done on a different day than the first trial, the sun’s position was around
95 degrees East.

Graphs by Orientation

Graphs of all Data

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Discussion
Based on our location, we found that the best angle and orientation for the solar panels would
be around a tilt angle of 60 degrees, facing east. Our optimal orientation was east because we
conducted our experiment in the morning and the sun was rising from the east, so it makes
sense that direct sunlight would produce the highest voltage. For every trial conducted, the
highest voltage recorded was when there was a 60 degree angle between the solar panel and
ground, which also makes sense because the sun was at a 20 to 30 degree angle, which is
perpendicular to 60 degrees. We can conclude this because there were differences in the
voltage between each angle and direction, but our solar panel was only 6 volts so the
differences between the recorded voltages during the experiment were very minimal. If we had
larger solar panels and had more of them, the difference in voltage would be much greater and
there would be a lower margin for error.

The last two trials had an overall lower voltage than the first trial due to when the last two trials
were done. The first trial was tested when there were no clouds in the sky so we could see the
sun completely. The second two trials were done during a cloudy day right before a full week of
rain so the clouds were mostly covering the sun. This does introduce some sort of error into the
trials, but the overall trend in the experiment remained the same, so we can safely conclude our
hypothesis that the solar panel will have the most voltage when pointed directly at the sun (East
and 60 degree tilt). However, these differences between clouds and no clouds actually add
another component to our study that we hadn’t actually considered before the test: weather. It

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makes sense that cloudier skies would shield the sun and therefore lower voltage, so the local
climate is definitely something that we have to consider once we choose our location.

Conclusion
In conclusion, for our location, we would orientate our solar panels east, angled at 60 degrees.
Due to the fact that we cannot guarantee the location of our classroom at this time, we do not
know the angles of the panel or the orientation that would best satisfy our needs for another area.
We would need to do this test again at the location we decide to build our classroom.
Alternatively, we could also use this test data to predict optimal orientation and tilt angle using
data available on the internet, such as sun position during times of the day.

Appendix
Here are additional photos from the project, as well as the raw data from the lab notebook.

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