| Criterion
6.5.12
Tilt and Azimuth
Criteria
text:
The
collector shall be installed on a mount capable of maintaining
tilt and azimuth to design conditions.
Comments:
The system must be installed using manufacture design and
materials. These have been approved by SRCC.
The
installer must first have experience in determining the proper
tilt and orientation of the mounted collectors in their geographical
area.
Figure
1 illustrates the path of the sun during the course of the year.
This has a major impact on both the orientation and tilt of the
solar collector. In general, a collector should be mounted facing
due south, although being off due south by a small fraction will
not greatly affect the overall performance. (In general installers
should install the collectors no more than 30 degrees east or
west of due south.)
Figure 1
In
turn, the final mounted tilt of the collector will also affect
performance. In general the year round recommendation is to mount
the collector at the specific location's latitude. In other words,
if a collector is to be installed at a location which is at 28
degrees north latitude, the collector could be mounted at a 28
degree tilt for optimum year round performance. (Note that once
again a variation of this, 15 degrees plus or minus latitude,
is also satisfactory.)
The
above leeway provide both the installer and the homeowner the
ability to install the collectors in an aesthetic fashion and
perhaps flush upon the roof. This also greatly reduces wind load
on the collector.
Figure 2
Compare
the aesthetics of the installations shown in Figures 2 and 3.
Figure 3
Nevertheless
if more performance is desired from the system during winter months,
then the collector should be mounted at a greater tilt since the
sun is lower in the horizon in the winter months. In turn, if
more performance is needed during the summer months, the collector
tilt should be reduced.
Once
the collector orientation and tilt has been designated, it is
important to make sure that structural mounting equipment and
hardware is properly installed. Follow the manufacturer's installation
instructions and use the provided mounting hardware
(Figure 4).
Figure
4
Make
sure that all bolts are tightened and secure. Do not follow the
examples listed below! In Figure 5, the mounting hardware is not
securely attached to the collector. In Figure 6 the nut is missing.
Small oversights like these can possibly lead to major problems.
Figure
5
Figure
6
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