To properly site an array, keep three things in mind.
1. The orientation (azimuth) of the array is ideally situated to True South here in Tennessee. Modules facing north do not receive sufficient sunlight to make an adequate investment.
2. The tilt (pitch) of the mounting surface upon which the panels will rest. A pitch between 20-40 degrees facing south will yield a capture efficiency of 100%; this means the solar will be generating the maximum amount of energy for a fixed position.
3. Obstructions to sunlight (shading) is detrimental to the amount of energy an array will generate. During the winter months the sun is lower in the sky and will cast longer shadows from objects that do not shade your roof in the summertime.
When a LightWave representative performs a site evaluation, they have equipment that accurately determines how much shading an area will receive throughout the year. This tool is known as a pathfinder.
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