Solar Panel Install Direction

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north.

Solar panel install direction.

Panel direction and solar inverters the type of solar inverter you have will affect how many different directions in which you can place panels. Some who install them on their roofs are somewhat limited but if you have the luxury of choosing exactly how you want your system setup there are a few tricks you can use. Solar south or geographic south. The conventional wisdom in the northern hemisphere is that the best direction to face solar panels is south since that is generally where they d receive the most sunlight.

The most common sort in australia are string inverters. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. The sun s position is constantly moving throughout the year and the only way to always have your solar panels angled perfectly is to install a solar tracking system. Some can only cope with solar panels facing in one direction but inverters that can handle two directions are now common.

The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south. However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day.

For example the arpont shelter has dualsun panels installed vertically. The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. Choosing the best angle and direction for your solar panels will optimize the amount of sunlight they receive and allow you to get the most out of your solar power system. Solar panels installed vertically produce less energy but a façade installation can still make sense depending on the specific needs and constraints of the building.

Solar trackers follow the sun as it moves slightly which will bump up your energy production. This was a design choice but also a technical decision to avoid an accumulation of snow during the winter. To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. However the electricity system is not as simple as it sometimes seems and the best direction to face solar panels may actually be west.