How to estimate effect of a tree on my solar panel installation?
Trees can have a significant impact on the performance of solar panels. If a tree or other large object is shading a solar panel, it can reduce the amount of sunlight that reaches the panel, which will lower the panel's electricity production.
To estimate the effect of a tree on your solar panel installation, you'll need to know the size and location of the tree, as well as the size and orientation of your panels.
You can use a shading calculator or consult with a solar installer to determine how much of the sun's rays will be blocked by the tree at different times of day and throughout the year.
Alternatively, you can use a simple visual inspection to get a rough idea of the tree's impact on your panels. Stand near your solar panel array and look up at the tree. If you can see the sun shining through the tree's leaves, that's a good sign that the tree is not shading your panels. However, if the leaves are dense and you can't see the sun, that's a sign that the tree is shading your panels and may be affecting their performance.
In general, the larger and closer a tree is to your solar panel array, the more likely it is to cause shading. If the tree is shading your panels, you may need to trim the branches or remove the tree altogether to maximize the performance of your solar installation.