Sun Tracker App

I love the Sun Surveyor app.  Shows exactly where to position the T@B to avoid the sun in the summer or maximize the roof solar panels.

@Tabaz   I had been using an Android app called "Sun Position" to make sure I don't park facing South in a position where a tree will block the panels. The app has several handy screens like the typical AR compass calibrated screen using your camera along with widgets.  But your recommended "Sun Surveyor" looks even better. Thanks for the recommendation.



(For cheapskates: "Sun Position" does offer more stuff for free on the demo / non paid version though and has widgets... they are both $7.99 to upgrade to full version.)

@Sharon_is_SAM, a different name brand of that tool (Wixey) is a marvelous invention for my table saw and scroll saws, and would indeed work wonders for the 15% rule. 

@Sharon_is_SAM, just keep a supply of CR2032 batteries if you don’t turn off the “gadget”, as they do eat batteries. I finally resorted to reversing the battery when done with the task at hand to conserve battery life. 

@Sharon_is_SAM this is the tool I use to set the panel angle (no batteries required).

I mentioned eyeballing in relation to pointing the panel towards the current position of the sun during its daily trajectory.  That is where I think a sundial arrangement with a stick would be helpful. Place the panel perpendicular to the cast shadow from the stick. What do you think?



To make a simple version attach a weighted string to a protractor. Something similar to this.

@CrabTab, two of mine are over 20 years old, one a couple of months old.....

Geometry was my weakest subject, other math classes were great.  But don’t ask me now......that was literally many decades ago!

@Sharon_is_SAM, yes approx. 35 degrees (33 for any overachiever out there). 

BTW- We just watched a YouTube video where I think you saw the Lumps App.😊

I use a painfully low tech approach. I will try to post a pic later, but in the meanwhile:

i use use a small piece of white paper, and hold a “round” object, like the lid from a can of spray paint, on top of the white paper(contrast against the black solar panel), placed on top of the solar panel. A shadow will be cast of the “lid”. Move the panel side to side, or up o& down to “zero” the shadow right on top of the lid. Poof! Perfect alignment. 

Obviously, easier to move a suitcase panel then the tab itself, but one could improvise.