Electrical reference chart
Solar Row Spacing Chart
Use this worksheet after the calculator result to record row pitch, shadow length, solar altitude basis, ground projection, GCR, and project follow-up.
Quick reference table
A solar row spacing chart is a calculator-led planning worksheet. It records the geometry behind a PV row pitch estimate before shade modeling, racking layout, structural review, utility/AHJ review, and installer design.
Solar row spacing worksheet
| Item | Record from calculator | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Solar-altitude basis | Winter-solstice or custom altitude | Confirm project shade criterion |
| Row geometry | Tilt, row length, vertical height, ground projection | Check racking and module orientation |
| Spacing result | Shadow length, minimum pitch, entered pitch | Review site layout and access aisles |
| Density result | Ground coverage ratio | Compare with production and land-use goals |
PV layout documentation
| Review item | Record on worksheet | Why it controls the next step |
|---|---|---|
| Site conditions | Roof, ground, slope, parapet, obstruction note | Real shade can differ from a level-plane estimate |
| Row assumption | Tilt, row length, azimuth, lower-edge height | Racking geometry controls final spacing |
| Review path | Shade model, structural note, utility/AHJ, installer | The planning estimate must become a project layout |
| Access and maintenance | Aisles, setbacks, equipment paths | PV row density cannot override service access |
How to use this chart
Record the solar angle
Write whether the result uses winter-solstice noon or a custom project solar altitude.
Record row geometry
Carry tilt, row length, vertical height, ground projection, and lower-edge height into the layout review.
Prepare review items
List shade-model, racking, structural, utility/AHJ, access, and installer follow-up before layout approval.
Formula basis
Minimum row pitch = row ground projection + shadow length.
- Ground projection is the horizontal projection of the tilted module row.
- Shadow length is vertical row height divided by tangent of the selected solar altitude.
- Solar altitude can come from the winter-solstice latitude calculation or a project-specific shade model.
- GCR is ground projection divided by entered or screened row pitch.
Worked examples
Winter-solstice row-pitch record
Record latitude, solar altitude, tilt, row length, ground projection, shadow length, minimum row pitch, entered row pitch, GCR, and reviewer notes.
Custom shade-model documentation
Document the project-specific solar altitude, row geometry, resulting pitch, site obstruction notes, and shade-model owner before layout approval.
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Frequently asked questions
These answers explain how to use the chart without turning a quick reference into a final design decision.