The Direction Solar Panels Face
The direction solar panels face for optimum sun exposure varies depending on location. In Australia, solar panel yields are higher when solar panels face north. All Southern Hemisphere locations should ideally position panels in a northerly direction.
The direction solar panels face, along with their angle, or tilt, at that orientation, are all vital inputs to accurately calculate the solar power for the property. These inputs and the property’s location are needed to calculate the solar energy at a given site.
For Australian conditions, the best orientation for your panels is NORTH. Although, if your commissions do not face north, you can still generate good solar yields.
What if your panels aren’t facing north?
If you live in Perth, and your panels don’t face north, your property may still be suitable for generating solar energy. Conferences can still generate good yields if your property faces east or west. Depending on your roof pitch and location, you will lose somewhere between 10-20% efficiency due to not having panels facing north. It is recommended that you can place the panels in more of a northeast or even northwest direction. This will increase sun exposure to the meetings and improve the system’s ability to generate solar power.
Suppose your property is constructed so that you can only face solar panels in a southern direction. In that case, you will also lose capacity compared to a north-facing solar system.
The table below shows the panels’ efficiency in Perth at different orientations; this is based on a roof pitch of 25°.
When you cannot orientate panels in a northerly direction in Perth, a greater emphasis is placed on the angle of the panels. A rooftop closer to horizontal will generate better solar yields in this situation. The smaller the roof pitch is, the better for south, east or west-facing buildings.
Is East or West Better for My Panels?
When you consume most of your electricity, the effect of shading and whether or not your current system has solar battery storage are essential considerations, especially when deciding whether or not you should face your panels east or west.
Your electricity consumption habits and orientation
Figuring out when your building consumes most of its electricity is essential when determining the orientation of your panels. If your household or even business uses most of its electricity during the late afternoon, then you are better off facing your panels west rather than east. The financial benefit is that it coincides with the time of day your electricity retailer will charge you peak rates when purchasing your power from them. Due to this, in some cases where a lower-yielding west-facing panel is favoured over a north-facing board. However, careful design and modelling should be done before opting for west over north with your retailer.
On the contrary, if your electricity consumption is greater during morning daylight hours, you may want to consider positioning the panels facing east rather than west. The renewable energy you produce will also save you from peak morning electricity rates.
Shading
Shading may be an issue on your property’s east or west side. If it is, and it blocks the daylight sun to your panels, it will result in a loss of solar energy production. If only one side, east or west, is exposed to shading, you should consider placing the panels on the opposite side.
How will battery storage affect orientation?
If your solar system has a battery that can store excess solar energy, you are somewhat insured against peak morning and afternoon energy rates. It would be best if you always positioned your panels in a direction that will maximise daily solar exposure.
Westsun Energy has a team of trained professionals who can help you design and install your system. If you have any questions regarding the orientation of your system, do not hesitate to contact us!
