South or west: Which is the best solar panel placement? | DroneQuote

Before installing your solar, consider what the best solar panel placement is. The direction of your roof impacts how much energy your solar panels can generate. Primarily, the goal is to place solar panels where they can generate the most power. But should you consider what time the solar panels generate electricity?

South-facing solar panels

Solar panels pointed in the south get the most direct sunshine for dwellings in the northern hemisphere. South-facing panels are usually suggested for most houses in the US. This is because south-facing solar panels can capture the most sunlight throughout the day. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. A south-facing panel will receive sunlight for a more extended period than in other directions.

However, a different orientation may be more financially beneficial in some areas. 

West-facing solar panels 

While many homeowners are advised to install solar panels on their roofs facing south, a study from Pecan Research Institute confirmed that west-facing solar panels produce more energy in the most important hours of the day. 

During peak demand hours, solar panels that face west receive the most sunlight and hence need less grid power. When normalized for a 5.5 kW system, the research revealed that west-facing panels produce almost 50% more energy than their south-facing counterparts during peak demand hours. 

West-facing panels produce energy when it matters the most, even though production is lower. If your utility charges a time-of-use schedule, having the output peak later in the day may be financially beneficial since the expensive hours tend to occur later in the afternoon. 

East-facing panels

East-facing solar panels can produce electricity but are less efficient than south-facing solar panels. While the sun rises in the east, which would mean your solar panels will catch the sun’s rays early in the morning, this is not true all the time. Many factors affect solar panel productivity, which includes cloud shading and foggy mornings. During foggy mornings, you’ll miss out on the time when the sun hits directly on your panels and will wait until the fog’s burned off later in the day. Unfortunately, the sun has moved by the time the fogs are clear, resulting in lesser solar production. 

What if my only choice is a north-facing roof?

If you can only place panels on the north side of the roof, you should be aware that there would be a considerable loss of output from the solar panels. North-facing discussions panels point in the opposite direction of the sun, lessening the amount of sunlight they get and the amount of electricity produced. 

Have you noticed some companies that suggest north-facing solar panels when there is room on other roofs? This is usually done to increase the size of the system to make up for the loss of efficiency and get bigger commissions. 

But if you have no choice, you may opt for ground-based solar panels. Ground-based solar panels are easier to maintain and access but will come at a heftier price than rooftop solar. 

How to optimize solar panel generation?

The return on investment (ROI) of solar is influenced by the panel placement, the price of your electricity, and the state and municipal solar incentives available than by how much power the system can generate. This explains why states with lower solar capacity, like New Jersey, rank in the top 10 states with higher solar adoption rates. Their solar incentives are strong, and their electricity is expensive. 

The significance of roof orientation may also depend on the tariff structure of your electric utility. Using power costs more if your utility has a time-of-use (TOU) pricing system. These peak demands typically occur in the afternoon and evening when people get home, crank up the air conditioning, and prepare dinner.

Installing an energy storage system with your solar panels is another way to reduce peak demand costs. No matter what your solar panel placement is, as long as they can produce electricity, you can store energy with a home solar battery for later use. 

Solar panel position

Solar panels should be positioned toward the sun to get the most direct light. If your solar panels are angled to face as close to the sun as possible, this will increase the efficiency of absorbing solar power energy. 

What affects your optimal solar panel angle? 

There are factors affecting the best solar panel angle. Here are what you should consider:

1. Latitude: As we mentioned earlier, solar panels must be installed at an angle facing the sun. 

For most US property owners, the ideal angle for a solar panel installation is close or equal to the latitude of your home. By ensuring that your panels are at the same angle as the latitude of your home, you will get the average output from your solar system throughout the year. 

2. Roof design: All roofs are unique, which plays an important role in solar panel placement. What you want to achieve is the placement where your solar panels get the most sunlight. 

A low-angle roof may need specialized racking to tilt them at the optimal angle. In the case of a flat roof, you may use racking systems that mount your panels up at an optimal angle. 

Whatever your roof design is, it’s best to have a professional solar installer do it for you. To learn more about what makes a good fit for solar, here’s an article to help you. 

Which matters more: Solar panel direction or angle?

While your solar panel angle is crucial, solar panel direction is the most important factor concerning energy production. As explained earlier, solar panels should be facing toward the sun. The most optimal is south-facing, but west-facing is best where TOU applies. 

To know more about your options, you can contact DroneQuote so we can help you chooseDroneQuote so we can assist you in choosing the right solar panel placement for your home. We provide honest recommendations on anything related to a solar system so you can get the most out of your investment. Contact us today!