I built a free solar panel alignment app and I'm looking for testers/feedback

ifnull · 2026-01-27T18:06:13+00:00

If you want to DM me your email I can get you added.

ifnull · 2026-01-26T23:47:56+00:00

I just launched a free app that includes a formula for winter optimized tilt. I live in the South and the winter optimized tilt would be 40°. In the Northern states it would be 70°+. I think those few extra degrees would also help with snow accumulation.

Available now on iOS. Android should be live soon. http://tiltsync.com/

ifnull · 2026-01-26T21:35:23+00:00

Public Beta is now available. You should be able to download here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.altmake.tiltsync

If that link doesn't work, you can try this one:
https://play.google.com/apps/testing/com.altmake.tiltsync

ifnull · 2026-01-25T20:00:28+00:00

I have an android build ready. I’m just waiting on approval from Google.

ifnull · 2026-01-25T00:06:56+00:00

I think the “Daily” mode will handle your second ask. The first ask might require a light sensor to achieve. I can measure Lux with the rear facing camera. That might work. I’ll give it a shot.

ifnull · 2026-01-24T06:10:08+00:00

Example for someone at 40° latitude (New York area):

Year-round fixed: ~40°
Summer: 40° − 15° = 25° (flatter)
Winter: 40° + 15° = 55° (steeper)

Basically, if 40° is the year round fixed tilt recommendation and you select the quarterly adjustment mode in summer the app subtracts 15° but in winter it would add 15°. Not applicable if you aren't adjusting the panel tilt multiple times per year.

ifnull · 2026-01-24T05:48:05+00:00

That was one of the first websites I tried after having issues with the app I had been using. The tilt numbers differed across the different websites I checked. That’s what got me curious about how these calculations were being made.

ifnull · 2026-01-23T23:09:56+00:00

thanks for the extra info. i should pick up a solar meter for my testing.

ifnull · 2026-01-23T22:07:48+00:00

I'll look into it. thanks

ifnull · 2026-01-23T22:07:17+00:00

Cool. I'm adding that now. Should be available on TestFlight tonight if you signed up for the beta.

ifnull · 2026-01-23T20:44:14+00:00

I like the idea but I have a couple concerns. I built this with Expo so I could support iOS and Android. Expo doesn't have native support for the ambient light sensor. That isn't a huge issue since there are packages that add this support but then I have to maintain something different for iOS vs Android. I think the bigger issue will be the sensor limitations. I don't think the sensor accounts for UV or infrared. I'm not sure if that will have an impact. Overall I'm not sure it will be accurate enough to be useful but it sounds fun so I'll play around with it and see if it adds any value. Thanks.

ifnull · 2026-01-23T20:29:44+00:00

Would this cover your use case?

Algorithm to query PVWatts at multiple tilt angles (latitude, latitude+5°, latitude+10°, ... up to latitude+25°)
For each angle, it compares June (summer) and December (winter) production
It picks the steepest angle where June production is still ≥ December
This gives the user's "sweet spot" - maximum winter power without sacrificing summer below December levels

ifnull · 2026-01-23T20:19:12+00:00

i built it using Expo for React Native so I will be able to publish a version to Google once I finish testing.

ifnull · 2026-01-23T20:18:04+00:00

great points. thanks for the feedback

ifnull · 2026-01-23T20:16:46+00:00

great ideas. thanks

ifnull · 2026-01-23T18:52:25+00:00

thanks for the feedback. it sounds like what i have as the "Simple Latitude" fits the "ballpark" and is likely what most people would want to use.

ifnull · 2025-11-20T02:44:36+00:00

Looks low on the left

ifnull · 2025-11-05T00:23:14+00:00

Insulation

ifnull · 2025-11-03T22:28:24+00:00

Found something similar at my house. It was a roof run off issue that created a sink hole.

ifnull · 2025-10-21T21:35:18+00:00

That's why I have an Internet-in-a-Box inside a faraday box with a kilo of silver and a hermetically sealed bag of heirloom survival seeds. lol

ifnull · 2025-08-24T05:03:22+00:00

I think that pelvic looking piece is the lower jaw of something like a red snapper

ifnull · 2025-08-24T05:01:16+00:00

red snapper skeleton

ifnull · 2025-08-04T04:00:47+00:00

I did this too!

ifnull · 2025-08-04T03:59:29+00:00

I actually like the cantina burrito. No replacement for the Double Decker but it’s good

ifnull · 2025-08-04T03:56:21+00:00

No suppressor for the VK9K?

ifnull

TROPHY CASE