News about Solar, Wind and alternative green power technologies

The term sun path has been assigned to notify the path of the sun which changes based on seasonal-and-hourly alteration as the earth rotates, as well as orbits the sun. The position of the sun is one of the main factors determining the amount of heat that can be derived from the sun. So precise information need to be known concerning the sun path, in order to take economic decisions concerning solar energy projects. The sun path will determine the type of materials, solar trackers and prime orientation of the solar landscape.

Capturing Solar Energy

The most effective way to harness solar energy through solar panels, solar collectors or glass is to installed collectors being 20 degrees perpendicular to the sun on either side. On the other hand, for cooling system shade is important. The lowest heat is gained, the less perpendicular the sunlight is to the building. For instance, only 35 degrees away from a perpendicular angle to the sun does significantly reduce the amount of heat harnessed. At an elevated acute angle, the sunlight is rather reflected.

The best solar energy systems do consider the 47-degree change in the solar elevation angle that prevails in the horizon during summer and winter. It makes a great difference in the volume of heat that can be collected.

Earth’s Movements

The rotation of our planet produces approximately 23.5 degrees differences across the north and south pool. However, the sun does equally orbit the sun in our immense solar system. The 47 degree peak of the sunrays is caused as the earth orbits the sun. This is represented with seasonal changes that occur from winter to summer.

Harnessing Energy in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter

In the northern hemisphere, in the winter period the sun rises in the far southeast and comes up at a low angle just above the southern horizon. The sun does thereafter set in the southwest. In other words, the sun remains on the south part of your house (equator) throughout the day. In such conditions, a vertical south-facing panel would be convenient to harness a maximum of thermal energy.

However, in the southern hemisphere during the winter months (June, July and August) the sun will rise in the northeast, and will practically be perpendicular depending on the latitude of your position.

Moreover, there are some months where the sun provides more intense heat based on its position. So solar designers have to understand the necessary solar path angles at the location where the solar collectors are to be installed. The same applies for smart buildings, which have integrated cooling systems.

America’s solar path analysis during different seasons of the year is available at the NOAA. However, one thing that is general for the whole world is that the sun rises in the east and does always set in the west.

Facts about Sunshine

The sun will be perpendicular, a straight line with no shadows, above the equator at noon (solar time) during the 21st of March as well as the 23rd of September. Now proceeding to 23.5 degrees north of the equator we have the Tropic of Cancer, and equally a straight line can be drawn at noon during the 21st of June where no shadows will be seen. Now going to 23.5 degrees south of the equator we have the Tropic of Capricorn, which on the 21st of December show no shadows, if a stick is raised straight to the sky at noon (solar time).

Source: Wikipedia.org