Correct Orientation Of Solar Panels

Recently the new york times and popular science even purported that solar panels should face west rather than south to avoid unintended consequences.

Correct orientation of solar panels. It is best to face the panels south as the sun is always in the south within the northern hemisphere. 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. It refers to the horizontal orientation of the panels in relation to the equator. Regardless of the orientation experts note that it is more efficient to have a consecutive block of solar panels installed using the same orientation either vertical or horizontal.

There is of course deviance throughout the seasons but ideally solar panels should be facing as close to true north as possibleto reduce the impact that the winter seasons have on energy yields. At solar noon the irradiance from the sun is at its very highest and you can generate the most power. Solar panel orientation direction. Generally speaking the panels should be facing towards the equator.

Fixed tilt solar. Since solar panels are more productive when the sun s rays are perpendicular to their surfaces the certainly best orientation is the one directly true south azimuth angle 180. Find the best angle for optimizing solar collection during winter when solar energy is most scarce by multiplying your latitude by 0 89 and then adding 24 degrees. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true. Therefore to get the very best out of your photovoltaic panels you would typically face them due south at the optimum angle so that the panel is receiving as much sunlight as possible at this time. The angle or tilt of a solar panel is also an important consideration. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere.

An additional 3 5 though can be gained by evaluating this more carefully. If you are in the southern hemisphere then face them north. For instance if your latitude. On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north.

Orientation australia being in the southern hemisphere experiences a sun that is predominantly coming at us from the north. This also helps if you re using a string inverter that connects all the panels together and send the power to a central unit. In the northern hemisphere the sun is due south at solar noon. 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.