Consider the following drawing:
I take it that solar panel's generated electricity would be the same whether it's installed in scandinavia or africa, as long as it faces in the same direction? or am i stupid
i'm asking this because everywhere i hear how "solar panels have higher efficiency near the equator", but that's just not true. Maps such as these are common on the internet:
And they suggest that solar energy around the equator would be twice as available as on northern latitudes, but actually that's just the solar irradiation if the panels weren't inclined, but in practice, they were likely will be. So they receive similar amounts of power.
edit: so, it's the cloud cover. got it; thanks :D
You can actually see this in action. At sunrise or sunset, it is possible to look directly toward the sun. That's because more light is scattered at that angle and so it is less direct. At noon, the same sun will sear your eyes.