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Question
My science fair project is calculating the average angle of the sun year round in Utah. Last year my project was does the angle of incidence impact the performance of a solar cell. I figured out that direct light produces the most power. This year i need to see if it is worth to get solar panels in Utah. My question to you is "What is the average angle on the sun year round it Utah"
Thank you
Hunter Barney
Hello,
)
You do not give your specific location (longitude, latitude) but I used the latitude for Salt Lake City (40.75 N) to obtain a year's series of solar transit angles - which image is appended. (This was obtained from a computer program I have, called 'astronomy lab').
I think that given this graph you ought to be able to work out on your own, the "average angle of the Sun".
Indeed, this working out could be incorporated as part of your science fair project!
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Answers by Expert:
Philip Stahl
Expertise
I have forty years of experience in Astronomy, specifically solar and space physics. My specialties include the physics of solar flares, sunspots, including their effects on Earth and statistics as applied to astronomical investigations.
Experience
Astronomy: more than forty years experience starting with construction of my own simple telescopes. Worked at university observatory in college, doing astrographic measurements. M.Phil. degree in Physics/Solar Physics and more than ten years as researcher.
Organizations
American Astronomical Society (Solar Physics and Dynamical Astronomy divisions), American Mathematical Society, American Geophysical Union
Publications
Solar Physics (journal), The Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, The Proceedings of the Meudon Solar Flare Workshop (1986), The Proceedings of the Caribbean Physics Conference (1985). Books: 'Selected Analyses in Solar Flare Plasma Dynamics', 'Physics Notes for Advanced Level'.
Education/Credentials
B.A. Astronomy, M. Phil. Physics
Awards and Honors
American Astronomical Society Studentship Award (1984), Barbados Government Award for Solar Research
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