Electrical reference chart
Solar Tilt Orientation Sensitivity Chart
Use this worksheet after the calculator result to compare tilt, azimuth, shade, losses, and seasonal objective scenarios from NREL PVWatts or another documented model before the selected production case is used in system sizing, ROI, emissions, or row-spacing work.
Quick reference table
A solar tilt angle chart is a calculator-led scenario comparison worksheet that compares baseline PVWatts kWh against alternate tilt and azimuth rows, shade notes, loss assumptions, annual kWh, seasonal objective, and percent change without recommending one universal array angle.
Tilt and orientation sensitivity worksheet
| Scenario field | Record on worksheet | Follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline case | PVWatts run, annual kWh, tilt, azimuth, source date | Confirm the baseline matches the project address and production basis |
| Tilt case | Candidate tilt, annual kWh, seasonal objective | Check roof/rack practicality and row-spacing effects |
| Azimuth case | Candidate azimuth, annual kWh, morning or afternoon bias | Review load shape, export value, and owner objective |
| Loss and shade case | Shade note, loss percentage, annual kWh delta | Request shade model, layout revision, or installer review |
Scenario comparison record
| Comparison | Worksheet value | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual energy | Baseline kWh, scenario kWh, percent change | Annual kWh alone does not decide the project |
| Seasonal objective | Winter, summer, shoulder season, or annual basis | A seasonal objective can favor a different geometry than annual energy |
| Financial handoff | Selected production case for ROI and export value | Keep scenario assumptions visible before payback review |
| Design handoff | Selected tilt, azimuth, shade, and row-spacing notes | Verify equipment, roof, racking, utility, and installer constraints |
Tilt and orientation chart to calculator handoff
| Search intent | Open the calculator when | Keep on this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Best tilt or azimuth question | You need a scenario kWh comparison instead of a generic angle | Baseline case, source date, and rejected scenarios |
| East-west-south roof comparison | Each roof plane has tilt, azimuth, loss, and shade assumptions ready | Scenario labels and owner objective |
| Ground-mount seasonal objective | Winter, summer, or annual production goals need kWh deltas | Seasonal objective and row-spacing note |
| ROI production case selection | One scenario must feed payback, emissions, or storage worksheets | Selected case, reason, and model limits |
How to use this chart
Set a baseline case
Record the PVWatts or model run used as the baseline, including source date, weather dataset, tilt, azimuth, losses, and annual kWh.
Compare scenario changes
Change one or two visible assumptions such as tilt, azimuth, shade, losses, or seasonal objective and record the kWh delta.
Route the selected case
Carry the selected production case into system sizing, ROI, emissions, or row-spacing review with the rejected scenarios still visible.
Formula basis
Scenario delta = scenario annual kWh - baseline annual kWh. Scenario percent change = scenario delta / baseline annual kWh x 100.
- Baseline annual kWh is the reference PVWatts or model result selected for comparison.
- Scenario annual kWh is the result for a different tilt, azimuth, shade, losses, or seasonal objective.
- Tilt records the array angle from horizontal for the scenario.
- Azimuth records the compass direction of the array for the scenario.
- Shade and losses record the modeled assumptions that changed the production result.
- Seasonal objective records whether the scenario is annual energy, winter support, summer output, roof-fit, or row-spacing driven.
Worked examples
Roof azimuth sensitivity record
Compare south, east, and west roof planes with the same PVWatts source date, tilt, losses, annual kWh, seasonal objective, and ROI handoff note.
Ground-mount tilt scenario record
Document baseline tilt, candidate tilt, row-spacing note, shade assumption, annual kWh delta, seasonal objective, and reviewer follow-up before choosing the production case.
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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.