UQ study shines light on Brisbane solar panel angles

A University of Queensland study has identified the ideal tilt and angle for solar panels on Brisbane roof tops.

UQ Global Change Institute researcher Professor Tapan Kumar Saha said the study would help ensure optimum panel positioning as more Queenslanders opted for solar power.

“We have found Brisbane panels should be angled at 26 degrees, facing true north,” he said.

“There has been much effort put into determining optimal solar panel positioning in Asia, Canada and Europe, but until now there has been little done to determine these factors in
Australia’s sunshine state of Queensland,” Professor Saha said.

Data for the year-long study was collected from solar panels with varying tilts and orientations on three buildings across the UQ campus at St Lucia.

“The panels were set up with different configurations for a comprehensive understanding of energy generation,” Professor Saha said.

“This real-world system offers precious information and analysis and will provide invaluable insight into solar panel performance, not just for researchers, but also for the power and energy industry.

Media: Global Change Institute, Communications, Carolyn Varley, (07) 3365 1120, c.varley@uq.edu.au

About the Global Change Institute:
The Global Change Institute at The University of Queensland, Australia, is an independent source of game-changing research, ideas and advice for addressing global change. The Global Change InstituteIt advances scientific discovery, creates solutions and advocates practices and policies which to respond to the challenges presented to humanity by climate change, technological innovation and population change.
For more, visit http://www.gci.uq.edu.au