How much tree clearing is needed to obtain maximum solar exposure? > GreenBuildingTalk - Green Building Forums on Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF), Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), Radiant Heating, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Power

Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar Power > Subject: How much tree clearing is needed to obtain maximum solar exposure?

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Author

Messages

Michele Hardy User is Offline

Registered Users

Posts:1

04/12/2008 7:44 PM
We will be building a house on one of the Gulf Islands, West coast, British Columbia. The lot is a large treed acreage (11 acres); some of the trees are about 100ft tall, and the solar panels will be mounted on the roof of the house (one storey), facing south. Does anyone know how many feet from the South side (and East and West?) of the house we need to clear of trees, to maximize solar exposure especially in winter time?

Topgas

Registered Users

Posts:64

04/12/2008 9:21 PM
No shade from 10-4. Get someone to check it out with the right equip.

drewski

Registered Users

Posts:4

06/02/2008 4:32 PM
its not like bc has a shortage of trees. further to the fact that trees block views not just sunshine. just be very liberal with the chainsaw. sort of like when friends cut friends hair. if your all about minimum stumpage then a trained professional will be able to calculate the lowest arc travelled in winter (not necessarily on dec 21) and the widest arc travelled in summer (not necessarily june 21). and clear the exposure to acknowledge this region of exposure.

Bruce Frey User is Offline

Registered Users

Posts:18

06/04/2008 7:26 AM
A quick check is easy, although you will want to undertake a real solar interference study. Get a solar calculator like this: (the are many more) http://solardat.uoregon.edu/SunChartProgram.html and determine your solar elevations and azimuths. An example: At 50°N and 120° W on December 21 (it will be at or close to the lowest sun) you will find that 10am and 2pm elevation is ±12° at azimuths of ±150° and ±210°. Solar noon is has an elevation of ±17° at 180° azimuth. The rest is trig. The tangent of 12° is .213 and the tanget of 17° is .306 IF (and this is why you should do a real solar interference study) the tops of the trees are 80 ft higher than the base of your collector, then you need: 80ft/.213=375ft of clearance at ±150° and 210° azimuths 80ft/.306=260ft of clearance at 180° This will give you the "order of magnitude" Remember...trees grow. If the trees are deciduous, the leaves may be less of an issue in the winter. Bruce

You are not authorized to post a reply.

Forums > Green Building Technologies > Solar Power > How much tree clearing is needed to obtain maximum solar exposure?