Solar panel optimal orientation

It won't make that much difference - the batteries will be dead before this winter is out. We have solar powered radar operated please go round the dangerous bend signs round here and they are dead at this time of year a couple of hours after sunset and stone dead on frosty mornings.

Batteries get replaced every spring and the same cycle repeats.

Aim slightly high - misalignment only costs like cos(x) so 30 degree pointing error still gives you 86%. In summer it will have plenty of light no matter where you point it. In winter it will never have enough and like those garden centre lights will be effectively "buy and die".

East facing walls typically get a bit more morning sun.

I have a frugal PIR LED front door light powered by 3xC cells - been going a couple of years now on the first set.

Not necessarily. We have a solar powered security lamp from Lidl/Aldi that has worked for years. It only has to light up for a few seconds at a time very intermittently. It all depends on the usage.

Well it?s probably powering a lot more LEDs a lot more frequently!

Tim

No chance of including a mirror in the equation, I suppose?

Nick

Make it white rather than silvered, pv panel output curret depends on the lest illuminated bit so diffuse light works best.

NT

bad design - needs a larger battery.

No. Bad design - needs a very *much* larger solar panel and to be installed at a lower latitude where the sun actually shines in winter. Even with wind powered additions they struggle to survive the winter.

Doesn't do any good. Muppets still fail to go round the bend. eg.

That is on a bend with this sort of active sign and at a time of year when it was probably working. Frosty winter morning - no chance at all.