When you’re thinking about getting solar panels for your home, it’s important to consider if the direction your home faces will affect your power generation. Even though there’s a best direction for solar panels, your home might not allow for this ideal setup. But don’t worry, you can still use solar energy effectively, no matter the direction your home faces. Here’s how to make the best of it.
What Is the Best Orientation and Why?
Solar panels work by using solar cells to capture sunlight, turning it into electricity. The more direct sunlight these panels get, the more energy they can produce. So, the direction they face matters a lot.
What If You Can’t Install Panels Facing South?
Not every home can have south-facing panels due to the roof’s design or its orientation. If your panels face east or west, they might make about 15% less energy than if they were facing south. Panels facing north can make even 30% less. And if you live further north or in a place with lots of clouds, you might get even less power.
Is It Always Better to Face South?
While the south is usually the best direction for panels in the northern hemisphere, some places like Florida might benefit from having panels face southwest. This isn’t because they produce more power this way, but rather because of energy billing systems that charge different rates at different times of the day.
What Is the Best Angle for Solar Panels?
The best tilt for your panels depends on where you live and the time of year. The further from the equator you are, the steeper the angle you’ll need to catch the most sun. Near the equator, the sun is almost directly overhead, but it gets lower in the sky the further away you get. Adjusting the tilt of your panels can help capture more sunlight.
Remember, even if your home isn’t perfectly set up for solar panels, there are still ways to make them work efficiently for you.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the premier solar companies in Tampa Florida! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
