Why Solar Panels Should Face South

Proper azimuth and tilt of solar panels.

Why solar panels should face south.

Each solar panel must be exposed to direct sunlight to produce the most electricity. However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered. If you re in the u s. The more sunlight reaches your solar panels the more electricity you can generate and the more money you ll be able to save on your electric bill.

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. Many people ask the question why do solar panels face south a fundamental fact many people are aware of is that the sun rises in the east and sets toward the west. 21 thoughts on does it matter if my solar panels face south or true south.

For years homeowners who bought solar panels were advised to mount them on the roof facing south. In general there s one big rule. If you live in the usa or any other country in the northern hemisphere the best direction to face solar panels is south. Which direction should solar panels face.

However if the local power company charges higher prices in the afternoon your panels should face west to maximize the dollar savings. This is so that you can expose your solar panels to as much light as possible to optimize their energy production. Or elsewhere in the northern hemisphere the best direction for solar panels to face is true south though there is an exception. Face panels south for non tou ratepayers for those who are not part of a tou model with their utility company the direction that you want to face your solar panels is south.

Since most sunlight comes from the south this will make your panels more productive. Which direction should my solar panels face in australia. That captures the most solar energy over the course of the day which benefits the homeowner but. In the northern hemisphere solar panels should generally face south toward the sun.

This fact was further emphasized by the 1991 disney film beauty and the beast when céline dion and peabo bryson sang the lines certain as the sun rising in the east. Read on or watch the view below to find out why south is often but not always the best direction. You should carefully consider which way to face your solar panels. Conventional wisdom in the northern hemisphere is to face solar panels south so they get the most exposure to sunlight during the day.