Ground Mount Row Spacing Calculator
Calculate optimal row spacing to prevent inter-row shading in ground-mounted arrays.
Row Spacing Formula
Vertical Height = Panel Length x sin(tilt)
Shadow Length = Vertical Height / tan(sun altitude)
Min Spacing = Shadow + (Panel x cos(tilt))
Row spacing must accommodate shadow length plus the ground projection of the tilted panel.
Typical Ground Coverage Ratios
| GCR | Density | Shading Loss | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25-0.30 | Low | Minimal | Premium systems |
| 0.35-0.45 | Medium | ~2-5% | Typical utility |
| 0.50-0.60 | High | ~5-10% | Land constrained |
| >0.65 | Very High | >10% | Not recommended |
Winter Sun Altitude by Latitude
| Latitude | Winter Solstice | Equinox |
|---|---|---|
| 25 (Miami) | 41.5 | 65 |
| 35 (LA) | 31.5 | 55 |
| 40 (Denver) | 26.5 | 50 |
| 45 (Portland) | 21.5 | 45 |
| 50 (Vancouver) | 16.5 | 40 |