CWT Compact S2 Installation & Maintenance Manual

The ideal installation of the terminal may vary due to the surroundings. A thumb rule is to have the solar panel facing south with the panel surface perpendicular towards the sun.

The drawing below illustrates how a Flowbird terminal is installed on an undefined street with obstacles (buildings) on both sides. The illustration also shows the angle where the solar panel will get the most sun during the day. Please note that the angle is also 360 degrees around the terminal. Mentioned parameters must be considered when planning an installation.

Also, note that different latitudes will give variances in optimal solar angles, which also affects the ideal positioning of the terminal.

Figure 29, Solar Panel Placement.

Obstacles and shading

Even the smallest shading of the solar panel will result in substantial loss of output power. If, for example, 2% of the surface of the solar panel were to be shaded, the output efficiency would be 30% lower due to serial connection between the solar cells.

Shading can be caused by many different things, such as trees, buildings, balconies, dirt/debris, and snow. The risk of shading from buildings and other objects in the vicinity will increase during the winter due to the lower altitude of the sun.