HOW TO DETERMINE DIRECTION TO FACE SOLAR PANELS

Consider many things when you think about installing solar system on the roof and providing electricity to your home. Regardless of how much power each panel can produce, how many boards you will need, what size and how well they work on the roof, you also need to consider the best direction to face solar panels. 

As expected, the direction the solar panels face becomes an essential factor in determining how much energy the solar panels on your roof generate. In this article, we will discuss several options for determining the position of solar panels based on a survey conducted by several installation companies.

In almost every case, homeowners will achieve the highest electricity bill savings and the fastest payback periods by orienting their solar panels south in the other direction. Having a south-facing panel has several advantages, such as maximizing solar output, maximizing the ability to take advantage of clean metering, and utilizing battery storage.

The direction of the best panels to maximize solar electricity consumption will depend on the pattern of household electricity use. Some of the recommended panel directions include:

1. North

Panels facing north will generate the most electricity. North facing solar panels are often the best choice for people at home during the day. They exist to use electricity when it is produced and because they quickly shift demand by using washing machines, clothes dryers, pool filters, and other devices in the middle of the day. Because north-facing solar panels generate the most electricity in general, they will have the most significant environmental benefit.

2. West

West-facing panels generate about 15% less electricity in general compared to north-facing solar panels. They also create less electricity in the morning but more in the afternoon. They reach their maximum output an hour and a half afternoon, and before sunset will produce a quarter of their ultimate peak. West can be a good direction for people using air conditioning during the summer.

It’s also an excellent direction for people who usually leave the house at sunrise but return in the afternoon. Due to the reduction in the total amount of electricity generated compared to the north-facing panels, the increase in self-consumption that would be generated is large enough to make a west-facing solar panel.

3. Northwest

Northwest facing solar panels will generate 5% less electricity than north-facing panels. Electricity production throughout the day will be between the north and west-facing panels. They create more electricity in the afternoon and less in the morning.

Factor Determining Best Direction for House to Face for Solar Panels

4. East

East facing solar panels are similar to west-facing panels in that they generate 15% less electricity than north-facing. Still, they will generate more electricity in the morning and less in the afternoon. The east-facing solar panels are perfect for homes that use a lot of energy in the morning, such as those that use a lot of electric heating on winter mornings or people who go out in the afternoon.

5. Northeast

Northeast facing panels will generate 5% less electricity than north-facing solar panels, and their products throughout the day will be between north-facing and east-facing solar panels.

6. East and West

Placing solar power system facing east and some facing west will generate 15% less electricity than all modules facing north. This arrangement is often called the east/west split. This type has the advantage of producing a more constant electricity output to help increase consumption.

The east/west split model usually has different modules in each direction. So if the house uses more electricity in the afternoon, then more solar panels can be installed facing west. The east/west split can suit people at home all day and those who are home in the morning and evening.

7. South

In some countries, the south is the worst direction for solar panels. Some people think installing a south-facing panel is almost as big a mistake as installing it upside down. South-facing solar panels will produce 28% less energy than north-facing panels.

In some other countries, solar panels facing south will generate only 17% less electricity than those facing north. In addition, they will generate more electricity in summer compared to panels facing north.

8. Combination Direction

Solar panels can be placed in various directions other than just the east/west split. For example, some solar panels can be placed facing north and some facing west. It will produce an output similar to a panel facing northwest. It is even possible to have solar panels facing more than two directions.

Is it worth tilting your solar panels?

-Yes, it is. They can collect energy more efficiently. By tilting them, preferably close to the same angle as the latitude of your home, you’ll be able to get the maximum average output from your solar power system year-round.

Do solar panels need to be south facing?

-Solar panels don’t need to be south facing but you will get the most output from a south facing system. It’s better for solar panels to face south in the northern hemisphere rather than east or west. North-facing rooftops are the least optimal location for panels.