Goldfield Solar Power Information & Peak Sun Hours
Solar Green Energy Summary for Goldfield, Nevada
Lattitude: 37.7121
Sunlight
Fixed Tilt Sunlight Hours: 6.6 hours per day
1-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 8.3 hours per day
2-Axis Tilt Sunlight Hours: 8.6 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.
Knowing that the latitude of Goldfield is 37.7 can be helpful for understanding total sunlight hour variance. As you approach the equator latitude approaches zero. The closer the latitude is to zero, the more consistent the daily sunlight hours are throughout the year. Total sunlight hour consistency simply makes planning for your solar power needs easier, but it is certainly not a requirement.
Throughout the day the sun obviously moves throughout the Goldfield sky. The suns position in the sky also changes throughout the year with the seasons. A fixed solar panel does not accommodate for these changes. However, a 1-axis panel rotates and follows the sun’s path during the day. A 2-axis panel both follows the sun’s daily path as well as the seasonal differences
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.
Using the latitude of Goldfield along with historical data of sunlight and weather patterns we can estimate that a fixed mounted solar panel will receive an average of 6.6 hours per day in this area. That number can be increased with better technology including add a 1-axis or 2-axis tracking mount, which would increase the average peak sun hours per day to 8.3 hours and 8.6 hours, respectively.
Helpful & Interesting
How many watt solar panel Do I need to charge deep cycle battery?
So you want to set your rig up for Solar but you are not sure what size of set up you need? This blog is designed to give you the tools to be able to work out exactly what are you are drawing from your rig's batteries and what type of Solar set up you need. Knowledge is key when setting up your rig for Solar so the more information you have on each and every one of those home comforts devices you plan to take away with you the better. If anyone has a question pop it in the comment section below. I will answer each and everyone.