Hello I am affraid this is off-topic but still related to the sun and to the shadows.
Solar power is not much used in Brazil but Brasília, where I live, is an exception. Here I have never seen or heard of a single house that does not have solar panels for water heating. We can have hot water (around 60 C all the year around) without spending a single cent with electric power. One thing I have noticed is that no one plans the roof in order to take advantage of the sun in an optimized way. They build their house and than the best place for the panel is found. Usually this just means deciding which side of the house is facing North. That where the panel is placed. Also, the angle the panel makes with the horizon is just an accident: whatever the inclination of the roof is. Now I am planning to build a house for a small farm I have. I've been thinking on how to take the best advantage of the solar power. This includes where to have a garder with a nice sundial and where to place the solar panels for water heating as well as (perhaps) electricity (at least in Brazil solar panels for electricity are very expensive). At 19 37' 57" S, it is clear that the panel should be facing North. But what is the best angle with the horizon. And, if I can have several panels, is there a practical to calculate the best angle of each so as I can guarantee the highest possible insolation level? Say, if I have three panels, is it best to place them side by side, with the same inclinatation and declination? Perhas if one is a inclined towards the East with a certain angle and the other to the West with a proper angle I can capture more light? I know this information can probabily be found in some book about photometry or perhaps archtecture/engineering. I couldn't find them... thank you - fernando -- Fernando Cabral Padrao iX Sistemas Abertos mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.pix.com.br mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Fone: +55 61 321-2433 Fax: +55 61 225-3082 15º 45' 04.9" S 47º 49' 58.6" W 19º 37' 57.0" S 45º 17' 13.6" W
