Position For Solar Panels

Each situation is unique in terms of roof angle property layout and power consumption.

Position for solar panels. Generally the sun is at a higher position during summers and a lower position during winters. This corresponds to the latitude of the place where you are housing the panels. We d get to do our bit for the planet. True north is not the same as magnetic north.

While the general consensus in the solar power industry is that either west or south is the best direction for solar panels to face these two options don t necessarily address the needs of every individual solar user. In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. If you are uncertain of the time zone for a location refer to our time zone table. However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered.

Since solar energy doesn t 100 replace electricity in the home this is a great way to keep electric bills even lower since you may be eligible to receive discounts and utility credit based on the amount of unused solar energy your panels were able to generate. This relates directly to the output of a solar panel in watts. 14 22 is an acceptable efficiency range for panels produced by major manufacturers. The location was a big draw as was at least initially the fact that the red pitched roof of the two car garage was outfitted with 17 solar panels.

Selecting yes in the daylight saving field will cause the solar position calculation to assume the current time has been adjusted forward one hour from standard time. While the sun is in a higher position in the sky during the summer and lower position during the winter it has an average position right in between the two seasons. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. If you are using a compass to orient your panels you need to correct for the difference which varies from place to place.

Solar panels should always face true south if you are in the northern hemisphere or true north if you are in the southern hemisphere. A solar panel s efficiency rating refers to the amount of sunlight the panel can convert into usable energy. This is because for those of us living in the northern hemisphere the sun is always along the southern part of the sky as we complete our yearly orbit around it. Tilting it at that average angle would produce the highest output.

However there is an average position between the two which is optimal for the photovoltaic panels.