Best Solar Panel Alignment

The horizontal orientation of your panels in relation to the equator in this case.

Best solar panel alignment.

For starters there is no single ideal angle for solar panels. Solar panels should always face true south if you are in the northern hemisphere or true north if you are in the southern hemisphere. Ideally a fixed roof mounted solar energy system should be at an angle that is equal to the latitude of the location where it is installed. As we re in the northern hemisphere the best solar panel orientation is obviously south but.

True north is not the same as magnetic north. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. In the northern hemisphere the sun is due south at solar noon.

However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations. But that task is complicated by the fact that the sun moves across the sky throughout the day. Solar panel inverters work the same regardless of the solar panel s orientation. At different times of the year the optimal angle may be slightly or even significantly different.

Solar panels work best when they face directly into the sun. Therefore to get the very best out of your photovoltaic panels you would typically face them due south at the optimum angle so that the panel is receiving as much sunlight as possible at this time. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. It also changes angle in the sky as the seasons change.

Overall the angle of your rooftop has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your roof faces. Your solar panel orientation is very important when it comes to maximising the amount of electricity that your solar panels will produce. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south. However if you live in an urban area in the united states you might just be able to find the best angle for the photovoltaic panels with your zip code.