The roof angle plays a crucial role in the design of the solar array system as it determines the tilt angle. It is important when assessing the performance of a solar system. The angle of tilt plays a crucial role in determining the row spacing of the solar array, especially if it is being ground-mounted or installed on a flat rooftop. This ensures that the modules in the front row do not obstruct the modules in the row behind them, thereby maximizing the efficiency of the system. However, the direction your solar energy system faces or the amount of direct sun exposure has more influence on solar panel performance than the angle of your roof.
When examining a roof plan for your residence or place of business, it is highly uncommon to come across the roof pitch listed in degrees. Instead, it typically indicates the rise and run of the roof. For example, a roof with a pitch of 7:12 signifies that for every 12 inches of horizontal distance, the roof’s height will rise by 7 inches.
What Different Factors Affect Roof Angle?
In order to obtain a precise measurement of your roof’s pitch, essential fundamental technical terminology and quantitative measurements involved are as follows:
- Rise: It represents the vertical distance from a specific point on the roof to its highest point. In a right triangle, the rise is the vertical part.
- Run: It represents the horizontal extent of the roof’s overhang. It’s usually the distance from the roof peak to the wall. In a triangle, the run is the horizontal part.
- Roof slope: The roof’s incline is determined by the slope. The ratio expresses the vertical rise in inches for every foot of horizontal run.
- Span: The span of a roof is the measurement from end to end. The measurement is usually presented in feet and is simply done using a 100-foot tape measure.
- Slope: To determine the precise slope of a roof, one must calculate the ratio between the vertical rise and horizontal run. For example, a roof with a rise of 4 feet for every 12 feet of run would have a slope expressed as 4:12. This is known as the slope ratio.
- Pitch: Basically, roof pitch is the roof angle formed when the rafter extends from the ceiling joist. The proportion between the rise and run of the roof can be used as a representation as well.
For example, a roof pitch with a 4-inch vertical rise per 12 inches of horizontal run can be represented by a ratio of 4:12. If the roof height increases by 1 meter for every meter of width, it is equivalent to a 45-degree angle.
Also See: How to Calculate Solar Panel Tilt Angle?
