Hi all,
I'm working on designing my DIY install solar setup. I have all my numbers and know what I'm working with, and have figured out my ideal panel placement, etc. However, I have some big trees to the south of my house which are going to impact the system (definitely in the winter months, minimally if at all in the summer months).
I'm curious if anyone knows of a service I could hire freelance to do a system design in Aurora or other similar software which would include a shading analysis. Alternatively, is buying a solar pathfinder a better option?
I'm leaning toward a computerized design, simply because I don't have a south facing roof. The west slope of my roof is far more usable and less impacted by the trees, but it's azimuth is about 285 degrees, so it's slightly north facing. East will give me better production by about 10%, theoretically speaking. However, as I mentioned, the shading issues are probably a bit harder, and I also have most of my vent lines on the east side, so layout may be more complicated.
I'm hoping a computerized design would handle the math to determine if the real world performance would match that scenario, and make it worth the additional hurdles in order to save upfront cost.
Any help for me?
Thanks in advance.
I'm working on designing my DIY install solar setup. I have all my numbers and know what I'm working with, and have figured out my ideal panel placement, etc. However, I have some big trees to the south of my house which are going to impact the system (definitely in the winter months, minimally if at all in the summer months).
I'm curious if anyone knows of a service I could hire freelance to do a system design in Aurora or other similar software which would include a shading analysis. Alternatively, is buying a solar pathfinder a better option?
I'm leaning toward a computerized design, simply because I don't have a south facing roof. The west slope of my roof is far more usable and less impacted by the trees, but it's azimuth is about 285 degrees, so it's slightly north facing. East will give me better production by about 10%, theoretically speaking. However, as I mentioned, the shading issues are probably a bit harder, and I also have most of my vent lines on the east side, so layout may be more complicated.
I'm hoping a computerized design would handle the math to determine if the real world performance would match that scenario, and make it worth the additional hurdles in order to save upfront cost.
Any help for me?
Thanks in advance.
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