Check Solar Panel Orientation

The effect of orientation on solar output the direction solar panels should ideally face for optimum sun exposure varies depending on location.

Check solar panel orientation.

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. This solar angle calculator tells you by location the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. Solar panels should always face true south in the northern hemisphere north in the southern hemisphere tilted from the hoizontal at a degree equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer.

The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. Orientation of the panels. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.

The earth has a fluid outer core made of iron and nickel which pulls the needle of your compass slightly away from true south. Solar panels should face south for any home in america to obtain maximum power generation. In general solar panels that are oriented directly east or directly west will produce about 20 percent less electricity than if they were facing south. You can also improve your solar panels performance by adjusting the tilt of your panels downward.

If you change the tilt from 30 degrees to 15 degrees your production then will be only 15 percent lower than if your. Solar south or geographic south. If you don t have any north facing roof space available but you do have two sides that face east and west. While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face.

Even with this decrease in performance solar panels will produce enough electricity to save you hundreds of dollars a year. System losses cabling loses about 2 of power while the inverter can lose 3 4 of power in the conversion from dc to ac power. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

For australia solar power yields are higher when panels face north. However solar panels can be orientated on any roof that faces south of either east or west. In fact all southern hemisphere locations should ideally position panels in a northerly direction. The pull or magnetic declination will vary in direction and strength depending on your location.

A well designed and installed system will minimise these losses. Therefore directions like southwest or southeast are fine. How to determine the best solar panel orientation for your property orientation. An additional 3 5 though can be gained by evaluating this more carefully.