One Alaska-based solar panel enthusiast carried out an experiment to see how their array would perform with a very low October sun, sitting at 18.1 degrees.
The homeowner then shared their results with Reddit's r/SolarDIY forum.
"Pretty fun project up here in Alaska, and the data has been really interesting!" the original poster shared.
Photo Credit: Reddit
Photo Credit: Reddit
The OP showed off a vertically mounted 2,425-watt AIKO array that was producing 1,572.2 watts. On the other hand, their 3,650-watt Gstar setup tilted at 40 degrees was generating 2,369.8 watts.
To keep track of conditions, the OP used a somewhat limited backyard weather station that measures solar radiation and wind.
They estimated that choosing a fully vertical mount instead of a 12.5-degree angle would lead to only about a 1%-5% loss. The OP said vertical mounting is easier to build and takes up less space.
For support, the system uses 4×4 posts buried 4 feet into concrete, and the OP said the vertical array is due for better bracing.
The two systems had almost identical percentage outputs, with 64.9% of rated output for the Gstar panels and 64.8% for the AIKO panels.
The OP added that the setup is still being refined and suggested that adjusting panel orientation to match Alaska's shifting sun could pay off. As they wrote, "Just wanted to share having two arrays optimized for the season and hopefully I will max out my 3.8 KW inverter more!"
Other solar owners streamed into the thread to add their suggestions and appreciation for the experiment.
A commenter from Anchorage wrote, "I am very jealous of the setup you've got here."
"It's cool to see someone trying vertical panels. It's in my long-term plans to do the same," another person said.
For anyone comparing similar options, EasyHome's free tools can help you map out local solar choices instead of relying on guesswork. EasyHome can also help homeowners explore backup battery storage as pairing solar with a battery can maximize savings and keep a home powered by solar when the grid goes down.
There's no shortage of ways to create your own DIY solar setup.
• In Massachusetts, a DIY owner found north-facing panels made 82% as much power after a year.
• In the Pacific Northwest, cabin owners found doubling solar still won't stop winter generator runs.
• In Lebanon, four years of data showed winter days yield less than half of summer.
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