How to determine true south?

[RobJ]

Got a GPS? Stand still at the location you want to put the panel. take a few steps to your best guess at south, look at the reading, adjust.

It'll be close enough. I think to get the max out of it you'l lhave to move the panel several times a year since it changes with the seasons and the earths wobble if I remember some reading.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Use a Garmin eTrex Vista's built-in GPS compass.

 

[gws]

I figgered there was going to be a redneck joke in here somewhere.

 

[RonMar]

Variation on Slamfires method.

The sun follows a straight path thru the sky, it's shadow does the same on the ground. Take a stick(preferably round as it will cast the same shape shadow over time)about 2 feet long and place it in the ground vertically. An hour or two before noon, mark where the end of the shadow from the top of the stick falls. A few hours after noon, make a second mark where the end of the shadow falls. Draw a line between the two marks you made and you have a East-West line.

 

[Harleymsn]

I hope these guys didn't confuse you as much as they did me!

 

[gf5205]

Put a stick in the ground. When the shadow is the shortest the sun is due south. Since it's now daylight savings time you should only have to watch from noon till 2 pm. If you know where you are in the time zone you can narrow down that period. For example, if you're closer the western edge of your time zone then watch from 1 to 2, or noon til one if you're closer to the eastern edge.

 

[3RRL]

Go to the North Pole and every direction will be south. Very simple.

Gatorboy,
Of all your wisecracks, that has to be the best one EVER. LOL

Stumpfield,
I thought you were going to get dual axis solar trackers?

 

[stumpfield]

Stumpfield,
I thought you were going to get dual axis solar trackers?

No, definitely no trackers for me. I would advice anyone NOT to use trackers. It's great for those who sell and charge $$$ to maintain them. Trackers are best use for other solar applications. IMO, it's better to use the $$$ to buy more panels to make up the difference. ...unless you have a space limitation and no room for more panels.

 

[jimg]

Oh! THAT true south. I thought you were talkin' Rebel flags, Grits, and Y'all come back now, he'ya.

Exactly what I was thinking. From where he is the directions are simple...head away from the ocean and turn right when you hit the 'All you can eat signs'.

 

[Ray2210]

Find the North star at night and south will be directly opposite. The Noth star is accurate enough to line up a satelite dish with a polar mount and they are very unforgiving.