Design, installation and performance
Orientation and tilt
Also known as: azimuth, tilt angle, pitch.
Definition
Orientation (which way the panels face) and tilt (their angle) affect how much energy they capture. Near the equator, as in Colombia, panels are installed at a low tilt; the installer optimises both for your roof.
At high latitudes the classic rule is to face south — or north in the southern hemisphere — with a tilt close to the latitude of the site. Colombia, almost on the equator, is a special case: the sun passes very high and crosses from one side of the zenith to the other through the year, so orientation loses weight and the optimal tilt is low.
That low tilt has a practical limit. An almost horizontal panel accumulates dust and is not cleaned by rain, so a minimum tilt is kept — usually around ten or fifteen degrees — to allow self-washing and drainage. In very dusty areas or near crops, that detail prevents constant output losses.
In practice, on a roof the orientation and tilt are already given by the building. The relevant question is usually not what the ideal angle is, but how much output is lost relative to it: a moderate deviation has a small impact, and forcing elevated structures to correct it adds cost, wind load and visual impact that often do not pay off.
The essentials of Orientation and tilt
- Near the equator the optimal tilt is low and orientation matters less.
- A minimum tilt is kept for self-washing by rain.
- On roofs, both parameters are given by the building.
- Correcting orientation with elevated structures adds cost and wind load.
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Frequently asked questions about Orientation and tilt
Which way should panels face in Colombia?
Being almost on the equator, orientation matters far less than at other latitudes: the sun passes very high and switches sides through the year. A good installer makes use of the available roof plane and compensates with installed capacity, rather than forcing a theoretical orientation.
Can I lay the panels completely flat?
It is not advisable. With no tilt, dust accumulates, rain does not wash the glass and puddles form that leave marks. A small tilt resolves self-washing and drainage with a minimal loss of capture.
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