The maximum performance of a solar cell occurs when the angle of incidence of the Sun is 90 degrees or perpendicular. As the angle of incidence decreases, the performance also decreases until it reaches zero.
The function of this decline is sinusoidal which means as the angle moves away from 90 degrees the loss is small but increases at a greater rate as the angle approaches zero. I've read most solar panels function at a high performance when the angle of incidence is within +/- 15 degrees from vertical.
The function of this decline is sinusoidal which means as the angle moves away from 90 degrees the loss is small but increases at a greater rate as the angle approaches zero. I've read most solar panels function at a high performance when the angle of incidence is within +/- 15 degrees from vertical.