Name:
Date:
Solar Pathfinder Tutorial and Instructions
Student Worksheet #4
Key Vocabulary:
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Geographic north
Magnetic declination
Sun-path diagram
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Magnetic north
Obstruction
Objective
Students will be able to identify the degree to which the solar resource is diminished in a
particular location by correctly using and interpreting data provided by a solar pathfinder.
Solar Pathfinder Set-Up:
1. Open your solar pathfinder and find the Sunpath Diagram that corresponds with the latitude
in which you live and whose application is for “South Facing Surfaces.”
2. Place the Sunpath Diagram onto the instrument panel as shown in the following diagram
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3. Determine the magnetic declination for the city in which you live, and pull out magnetic
declination tab to adjust for magnetic declination.
4. Rotate diagram (use blue triangle) to make magnetic declination adjustment.
5. Line white dot up with proper declination value (negative numbers are left of the "0"; positive
numbers are right of the "0").
6. Push in magnetic declination tab to relock.
7. Find the base section of the Solar Pathfinder along with the tripod and bean bag. (If you are
testing a rooftop location, use the bean bag, otherwise use the tripod.)
8. Bring your Pathfinder to the location in which you would like to test (be sure you are in the
correct location and at the correct height).
9. Set the base section onto the tripod or beanbag and adjust until close to level.
10. Place the instrument section onto the base section and rotate until the magnetic compass
(red needle) is pointing north.
11. Pivot the instrument section until the bubble level is in the center of the circle.
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12. Place the reflective dome onto the instrument section being careful not to disturb the level.
13. Use the marking pen provided to trace along the objects that are superimposed over the
sunpath diagram as shown in the following image or take a digital photograph of the image.
14. To calculate the percentage of potential radiation for each month add the small numbers
along each monthly arc that are found outside the lines you traced as shown in the next
three diagrams.
A)
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B)
C)
15. Record the percentage calculated on the Solar Pathfinder Data Collection Sheet for the
corresponding month in the column labeled “Percent Unshaded.”