What Direction Should a Solar Panel Face?

When you are looking for a solar renewable energy shift for your home, office, or any kind of space, there are some things you must know before signing up.

Headline Solar believes in educating potential customers so that they know what they are getting into. Some of the most common questions we get are, what is a solar cell? How much does a solar panel cost? How much will I need, and in what direction should a solar panel face?

If you know the answers to all these questions, you will be ready for the shift, my friend!Moreover, you would be in a position to get the best deal so that people cannot cheat or give you wrong estimates.

Yes! That has happened before! So sit back and read on to understand where you should be placing the solar panels to get the most out of your solar setup. Good positioning and maximum use of sunlight will give you some great results.

Guide to Where to Place Your Solar Panels

The formula is simple: If the solar panel is facing the sun for a maximum number of hours, it will produce enough electricity to suffice your home or office needs. This position is crucial in the production of electricity. The photoelectrons will be more, there will be more radical electrons, the potential difference in the cells will rise, and a higher voltage will cause an electric current to flow.

The Best Direction

The solar panels should be south-facing. This is the simple one-liner you should know!The reason behind it is easy to understand. The states of Texas and Illinois located in theNorthern Hemisphere, meaning the sun is above the equator.

The sun comes out in the east and sets in the west. Since the maximum exposure to the sun is on the equator, which is south of the Northern Hemisphere, we install all solar panels in that direction to ensure that the maximum exposure and maximum time are given to the solar panels.

What If You Do Not Have South Facing Space on the Rooftop?

Numerous properties do not have any south-facing exposure or do not have enough space to install the number of solar panels they need. The trick to go around it is establishing an elevated setup higher than the structure that can be made to face the correct direction.

Moreover, if there is no way in which you can have south-facing solar panels, then the second best direction is the west. You can face the panels in this direction; you get direct sunlight from noon till the sun sets. From the moment the sunrises, the solar panels will be at work.

At noon the sun is overhead, and maximum absorption will occur. However, it takes another six to seven hours for the sun to set, so the solar panels will get direct light during these hours.

Now suppose that the west-facing direction is also impossible due to the structure of the building you want to power with renewable energy. Maybe there are tall buildings around that cause an obstruction for you; what can be done then?

The next best direction for the solar panels will be east-facing. Imagine the sunrise till sunset arch on the sky again if the solar panels get exposure to the sun, from sunrise till mid-day. The hours are ample, and you will get a lot of activity for the solar panels. The solar panels can generate enough electricity for the building’s consumption if the direction is good.

How to Maximize Absorption of Energy

If your home or office does not face south, or you cannot install solar panels in this direction to maximize absorption of energy, then there is the option of installing solar panels in a higher quantity on both west and east as well.

Some houses inNorth America are hut-shaped, and some have sloping rooftops. Whichever style your house or office is constructed in, a reliable solar panel installation company can guide you about the direction in which solar panels must be installed for maximum use of sunlight.

You might also need to consider the size of solar panels to decide upon the absorption of sunlight. Besides, you don’t have to worry about constant maintenance to get all the benefits of solar panels.

The Correct Angle for the Solar Panel

While the direction of the panel is one thing, the angle at which the panels are installed will also play a role in how much electricity is produced. While the most frequently used range is between 15⁰ and 45⁰, the angle of solar panels varies with the structure of the building, the elevation, height, and many other things.

If we were located at the equator, the angle could be 180⁰ to the roof, which means that horizontally laid down solar panels could work. However, where you are concerning the equator and the various physical actors of your house will make all the difference in the angle at which the solar panel is installed.

Conclusion

The right direction for solar panel installation is south-facing for all NorthernHemisphere locations. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, the direction for solar panels will have to be north. Moreover, the angle and maximum use of space and direction can make a difference. You must consult a reliable and experienced installation service to get the maximum out of your home, office or whichever building you wish to power with solar energy.

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