Moenkopi Solar Power Information & Peak Sun Hours
Solar Green Energy Summary for Moenkopi, Arizona
Lattitude: 36.1124
Sunlight
Fixed Tilt Sunlight Hours: 6.3 hours per day
1-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 8 hours per day
2-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 8.7 hours per day
If you put your solar powered math calculator in your backpack it will turn off from the lack of sunlight needed to power the device. As you slowly open your backpack and begin to let sunlight in, the calculator will eventually turn on when the amount of sunlight is enough to power the calculator. Similarly, peak sun hours refer to the hours of they day where the sunlight is strong enough to power a solar panel. This is different from total sunlight hours, which is simply the amount of hours in a day when there is any sunlight.
The latitude of the location is important for measuring peak sun hours. The latitude determines how much overall sunlight there will be in a day. With a given latitude, time and date, one can accurately determine when sunrise and sunset will occur. Areas with latitudes closer to the equator will have a more consistent range of solar insolation throughout the year. Whereas areas closer to the poles will have a greater variance during the summer and winter months due to their higher latitudes.
Since a fixed solar panel is set in one position it is ideal to place it at an angle that will expose the panel to the most sunlight throughout the year. This angle is generally the same angle of your latitude which is 36.1 for Moenkopi. You do not need to strategically place a 1-axis or 2-axis panel as much as you do a fixed panel. A 1-axis panel follows the movement of the sun during the day. Additionally, a 2-axis panel also adjusts for the suns various positions in the sky throughout the year.
Another reason to consider average peak sun hours is because weather can dramatically affect the day-to-day output of solar panels. It goes without saying that a dark stormy day will produce less output than a clear sunny day. Looking at a yearly average helps account for these daily variables.
In Moenkopi you can look at the average peak sun hours of a fixed solar panel mount, which will be 6.3 hours. This number iis an estimate based on data of previous years. With a tracking mount in Moenkopi you could theoretically increase the amount of peak sun hours per with a 1-axis mount, and get 8 hours, or a 2-axis mount and potentially increase your average to 8.7 hours.
Helpful & Interesting
Do solar panels work on a rainy day?
Why Solar Power Works on Overcast Days. Solar panels harness both visible light and infrared light in order to create usable electricity: Even during the grayest days, visible light still gets through rain and clouds. After all, the sky isn't completely black—it's just several shades darker.