Mounting Your Solar Photovoltaic System

Using the sun to provide electrical power for residential, commercial, or agricultural use is effective when a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is set up to access an unobstructed view of the sun. This includes mounting the single solar module or a solar array at the appropriate tilt angle (in Arizona, this will vary with the latitude of your nearest city: Flagstaff: 35°; Prescott: 34°; Phoenix: 33°; or Tucson: 32°), and orienting the module or array toward the south (180°). Unfortunately, not every location has the desirable characteristics for installing a solar module or array with a clear, unobstructed view of the sun. For example, the owner of a house with east and west-facing roof orientation needs to determine which direction will gain the most output from the sun, without having to design and install a costly tilt-mount racking system. Are there nearby structures (buildings, trees, utility poles or towers) which cast shade on the desired location? If so, what times of the day, and months of the year is the shade problematic? Can the module or array be mounted on the ground, or on a pole? These issues may be dealt with by considering different module or array mounting options