Solar Shed to Shed (Row to Row) Distance Calculation

In Bangladesh, Solar irradiation follows the following sun path diagram throughout the year:

In the winter season, the sun’s altitude is at its lowest position from 9 am to 3 pm, which is the solar window/ space for maximum irradiation. To ensure there is no shadow on solar panels throughout the year, we need to make sure that on the lowest altitude sun path aka 22 December (winter solstice), the solar shed’s row to row distance is satisfying no-shadow condition. By satisfying 22 December’s no-shadow condition, the rest of the year will automatically follow. 

As we can see in this sun-path diagram, on 22 December, Sun’s Azimuth on 9 am to 3 pm is 45 degree (for every 1 hour, sun azimuths deflects for 15 degree, as 360°24 hours= 15°. From the graph, we can see sun’s altitude in that day is approximately 25°. 

We need to calculate L for winter solstice (22 December)

Here, at 9 am or 3 pm

Azimuth, α = 45°

Altitude, β = 25°

We will find h for 3 different sheds in the following image:

For 3 Row PV Shed

h = 96’’

In triangle ABC

d = htanβ= 96 / tan (25°) = 206’’

In triangle BCD

L = d sin(45°) = 146’’

For 2 Row PV Shed

h = 67.5’’

In triangle ABC

d = htanβ= 67.5 / tan (25°) = 145’’

In triangle BCD

L = d sin(45°) = 102’’

For 1 Row PV Shed

h = 42’’

In triangle ABC

d = htanβ= 42 / tan (25°) = 90’’

In triangle BCD

L = d sin(45°) = 64’’

Shed Pole to Pole distance:

With L, add the lower bases of two sheds to calculate pole-to-pole distance to avoid shadow

For a 3-Row to 3-Row Shed pole distance

Total distance = L + 27’’ + 27’’ = 146’’ + 54’’ = 200’’ = 16.67 ft

In this manner, we can form the 3✕3 pole to pole distance row spacing grid:

In Front Shed	In Back Shed
	3 Row Shed	2 Row Shed	1 Row Shed
3 Row Shed	27’’+146’’+27’’=200’’	27’’+146’’+25’’=198’’	27’’+146’’+17’’=190’’
2 Row Shed	25’’+102’’+27’’=154’’	25’’+102’’+25’’=152’’	25’’+102’’+17’’=144’’
1 Row Shed	17’’+64’’+27’’=108’’	17’’+64’’+25’’=106’’	17’’+64’’+17’’=98’’

In this manner, we can calculate the shed-to-shed distance between solar panel tables.

Grit Technologies Limited designs your solar power plant with meticulous calculations so that your plant always gives optimum generation throughout the year.

Call us today for solar projects: +8801689543959