Collector Installation

Variant menu: Anlagendefinition System Definition > Collector Array > Installation

The position of the collector array is defined on the Installation page.

Enter the orientation, which describes the position of the collector area. It is independent of the location, therefore the same for the northern and southern hemispheres.

The azimuth angle is calculated and displayed. It describes the deviation of the standard angle of the collector surface area from the south (northern hemisphere) or from the north (southern hemisphere), respectively.

Orientation Northern Hemisphere Southern Hemisphere
North 0 180 0
East 90 -90 90
South 180 0 180
West 270 90 -90
Table: Orientation and Azimuth angle

The angle β describes the angle between the horizontal and the collector surface area.

  • β = 0° -> The collectors are flat on the ground.
  • β = 90° -> The collectors are vertical.

The irradiation process calculates irradiation to the tilted surface from the orientation and tilt angle, which is then shown in the table at the bottom of the page.

Minimum Distance Between Mounted Collectors

Note: The following section is specific to T*SOL.

Variant menu: Anlagendefinition System Definition > Collector Array > Installation > Calculation

Dialog for defining the minimum distance between mounted collectors

The minimum distance between mounted collectors is calculated in this dialog, on the condition that the collectors should not shade each other at 12:00 pm on the winter solstice.

The suggested distance is a function of:

  • The tilt β (beta)
  • The solar angle γ (gamma) at 12:00 pm on 21/12
  • The installation height b of the collector

The program calculates the minimum distance between the collectors (d) between the supporting points of the collectors and the free distance (d1) between the collectors.

How to proceed:

  1. Enter the width b of the collector.
  2. Enter the angle alpha of the installation surface.
    • The height h of the collector array is calculated by the program.
    • The tilt angle ß is taken from the Collector Array dialog.
    • The solar position γ at 12:00 pm on December 21 is calculated by the program.
  3. Exit the calculation by clicking OK.

Mutual shading of the collectors is not taken into consideration in the calculations.