Why Are Solar Panels Fitted To South Facing Roofs

So while an east or west facing roof is not a work it is at least a solid b.

Why are solar panels fitted to south facing roofs.

The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. Solar panels perform at their best when the sun is shining straight on to the panels. True south or the geographic south will yield the best results overall. South facing panels are definitely the best and will produce the most energy.

Solar hot water system work the best on an south north facing roof. Your south panels will capture the most energy in total throughout the day but your west panels will generate more during the critical peak load time in the early evening when the grid is strained. During the summer the sun is higher up in the sky but it s still on the south side. Highest roof is the best location to place the solar system as no blockage of this area by buildings.

If the panels face west instead they get more energy during the afternoon an evening. When the sun shines onto the surface at an angle the panel will still generate electricity but it will be less effective. On a south facing roof the panels produce energy when the sun is high in the sky but as the evening sets in that production decreases. An easy way to determine the direction that your roof faces is to use google maps.

For example having some panels facing south and others facing west could be really useful when you have a time of use plan with your utility company. Solar panels are most effective when installed on south facing roofs. To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. That s because you ll get way more sunlight hitting the roof thereby converting into way more energy.

Panels mounted on a standard pitch roof facing east or west will produce approximately 15 less output than panels mounted on a south facing roof of a standard pitch. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south. It is also possible to install a solar hot water system on east and west facing roof however this will reduce the performace of the system. Updated may 18 2020.

Solar south or geographic south. Therefore directions like southwest or southeast are fine. This is due to our location in the northern hemisphere and the fact that the sun is in the southern sky year round in our location. However solar panels can be orientated on any roof that faces south of either east or west.

If i again jump into using solar terminology a south facing roof with no shade is 100 of ideal and panels facing to the east or west produce about 85 of ideal. In the uk south facing panels will generate more than other orientations. Solar panels should face south for any home in america to obtain maximum power generation.