Which Way To Point Solar Panels

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.

Which way to point solar panels.

To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west. However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered. The rule is that if you live in the southern hemisphere you should point your panels true north and if you live in the northern hemisphere you should point them true south.

What you are doing is optimizing your energy production for maximum savings with your utility company. There is a difference. Generally it s common knowledge in the solar industry that these south facing panels should be tilted between a 30 and 40 degree angle. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

This angle varies and is just about equal to the latitude of your home how far north you are in relation to the equator. The pecan street research institute released results of a study that indicated homeowners could find significant benefits by pointing their solar panels to the west. When you point your solar panels west you are not maximizing the total amount of energy that is produced. Solar south or geographic south.

This means that your solar panels will be put in a unique direction specifically to maximize energy production between this time range. The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. Now a compass tells you magnetic north and south but it does not show you true north and south.

The study concluded that the west facing panels were better at reducing peak loads in areas such as austin where air conditioning use is a strong driving factor in energy use during peak times typically 3 p. But a new study based on homes in austin texas has raised questions about which way our solar panels need to be facing. The pull or magnetic declination will vary in direction and strength depending on your location. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day.

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. To do this you should point your solar panel west.