Natural Sciences Grade 9

Term 3 2022 Project

"In summertime, the sun sits high above the horizon in the sky." Use this statement and explain why a fixed tilt angle of 90° produced such a low energy-output value. You can make use of a labeled sketch to explain your answer.

(3 points)

[14 points]



Answer :

Final answer:

A solar panel's fixed tilt angle of 90° results in low energy output due to sunlight being spread over a larger area. Solar panel tilt affects energy input, with direct alignment at noon providing the most energy. Optimizing tilt to latitude helps maximize solar panel efficiency.


Explanation:

Solar Angle and Energy Output: When the fixed tilt angle of a solar panel is set at 90°, it means the panel is perpendicular to the sun's rays. This results in a low energy output because the sunlight is spread over a larger area, reducing the intensity of the energy received by the panel.

Effect of Solar Angle: A solar panel facing directly towards the sun at noon (90° angle) receives the most energy. As the angle becomes smaller, the energy distribution becomes less concentrated, leading to lower overall energy output.

Optimizing Solar Panel Tilt: To maximize energy output, solar panels are typically tilted at an angle equal to the site's latitude, allowing for better alignment with the sun's rays throughout the day.


Learn more about Solar Panel Efficiency here:

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