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Definitions for tilt with 1-axis trackers may be ambiguous #1704

@williamhobbs

Description

@williamhobbs

Describe the bug

From the help docs for both PVWatts and Detailed PV Model, it is not clear how tilt for 1-axis tracking systems is defined. Based on testing and assumptions, tilt appears to be defined as the angle measured sloping down towards the user-entered azimuth.

For example, if you wanted to model a North-South 1-axis tracker sloping down to the North (not ideal in the northern hemisphere, but maybe that's the natural slope of the land), I think you would have to enter an azimuth of 0 and then a tilt > 0. In that case, will the sign for tracker rotation angle in outputs be reversed? I think so, but only based on testing.

Expected behavior

More clear docs would be helpful.

Additional context

See pvlib/pvlib-python#1976 for some related discussion with pvlib.

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