Solar site surveying tool for Android

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semipro

semipro

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Jan 12, 2009
4,370
SW Virginia
I've been trying to find a good site on our property for my planned ground-mounted PV array. We live in a heavily wooded area with some cleared space. I'm willing to trim/fell some trees if needed but wanted to minimize that.

I came across this app for Android devices and thought others here might be interested. It uses the accelerometer, GPS, and compass in a phone to allow you to map your horizon with respect to the sun's movment to predict site potential.

Its expensive as Android apps go ($14) but well worth it to me if it does what it says it does.

(broken link removed to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Comovingmagnetics.SolarShades&feature=search_result)
 
Hi,
That looks good -- I'd be interested in hearing how it works out for you.

This is one for iPhone that I'm told does a good job, but its quite a bit more expensive: http://www.imeasuresystems.com/

I actually like the manual site survey because it makes people think about sun paths and introduces the use of the Sun Path Charts -- probably the most single useful piece of paper in the universe :)
The manual survey is a great thing to do with the kids -- everyone should know the basics on how the sun moves.

http://www.builditsolar.com/SiteSurvey/site_survey.htm

Gary
 
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