Best Angle, Direction and Placement for Solar Panels
Understanding the Basics of Solar Panel Placement
If you’re tuned into conversations about energy, innovation and sustainability, you’re probably aware that rooftop solar panels have gained more attention in the last few years because of their ability to convert sunlight into electricity, offering a clean, renewable energy source for homes, businesses and communities all over the world.
Solar panels have the potential to generate enough energy from sunlight to help lower energy costs, improve air quality and help the environment by cutting down on the air pollution and habitat destruction associated with other forms of energy generation.
While solar panels have become more cost-effective in recent years, they’re a substantial upfront investment for most families and must be installed properly to make up for the cost of installation. Whether you’re considering solar panels or want to learn more about them, this guide will cover the best ways to position your solar panels to help you get the most out of your investment.
What are the benefits of solar energy?
Solar energy is renewable. The use of solar energy decreases reliance on fossil fuels, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy also provides opportunities for green jobs in regions that implement it, helping to create a future-ready workforce. Solar panels on a home can reduce power costs for consumers, and increase the home’s resale value.
How do solar panels work?
Although there are multiple types of solar panels, they all share a basic premise. Light from the sun hits the panels, which contain technology that converts the sunlight into electricity. The electricity created by the panels is then used, or stored for later use.
Key Factors to Consider:
- Geographic Location: The closer you are to the equator, the less steep the angle needs to be.
- Time of Year: The sun’s position changes with the seasons. Adjusting the angle of your panels can help maximize efficiency year-round.
- Local Weather Conditions: Areas with frequent cloud cover may benefit from a steeper angle to capture more direct sunlight when available.
General Rule: Use your latitude to determine the optimal angle.
The optimal angle for solar panels is typically equal to your latitude. For example, if you live at a latitude of 40 degrees, your solar panels should ideally be installed at a 40-degree angle. This can be adjusted seasonally for better performance: increase the angle by 15 degrees in winter and decrease it by 15 degrees in summer.
You can also use adjustable mountings to allow for changes in the angle of solar panels throughout the year, optimizing energy capture as the sun’s position changes.
Helpful Tools and Resources:
Tools and calculators are available to help you find the best angle for your solar panels based on location and other factors. Here are a few resources we recommend:
- Latitude and Longitude Finder: Type in your address to find your coordinates.
- Solar Panel Tilt Angle Calculator from Shop Solar: Enter your address to find the best angle for your solar panels.
- Sunlight Calculator from SunCalc: Determine how much sunlight your home receives per day.
- PV Watts Calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): Enter your address to view estimates of how well your solar panel installation will perform.
- Sun Number Calculator from Solar Reviews: Enter your zip code to find out if rooftop solar is generally worth the investment where you live.
What Direction Should Solar Panels Face?
The direction solar panels face significantly influences their efficiency. Proper orientation maximizes exposure to sunlight, leading to increased energy production. Panels that are not facing the optimal direction will experience lower energy production, so follow these general guidelines when positioning your solar panels:
- Northern Hemisphere: Solar panels should face true south to maximize exposure to the sun throughout the day.
- Southern Hemisphere: Solar panels should face true north for the best sunlight exposure.
A professional installer can help determine the optimal direction and angle for your solar panels, ensuring they are set up for maximum efficiency.
EPB Energy ProsSM Tip: Before you hire a contractor to install your solar panels, ask them these nine important questions. You can also follow these solar panel shopping tips from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Factors Influencing Solar Panel Placement
When installing solar panels, several key factors must be considered to ensure optimal efficiency and energy production.
1. Roof Direction and Slope (also called “Pitch”):
The direction and slope of your roof are crucial factors to consider when installing home solar panel systems. In the northern hemisphere, south-facing roofs are typically optimal as they receive the most sunlight throughout the day. Conversely, in the southern hemisphere, north-facing roofs are most effective.
The pitch or slope of your roof also plays a significant role in solar panel efficiency. An angle equivalent to your latitude is often considered ideal for year-round performance, though this may vary depending on local climate and seasonal sun positions.
2. Shading
Carefully consider shading around your home when choosing a location for your solar panels, as it can significantly impact efficiency. Shade can be detrimental to the efficiency of your at-home solar system. When your solar panels are in the path of obstructed sunlight, they may not get enough light to make a difference to your monthly energy consumption and costs.
There are several types of shading you should be mindful of when choosing a location for your solar panels:
- Neighboring homes
- Other structures or buildings
- Trees
- Mountains, ridges or hills
- Overhanging branches or other types of vegetation—If tree branches or other types of vegetation hang over your panels, dust, debris, insects or animal droppings may collect on your panels, which can reduce the amount of sunlight they absorb if you don’t clean them frequently.
3. Roof Condition and Material
The condition of your roof and what it’s made of can impact the cost and difficulty of your installation as well as the efficiency of your panels. Consider the following about your roof before you install your panels:
- Roof Condition: A well-maintained roof is essential to support the weight of solar panels without compromising your home's structure. With proper maintenance, both the roof and solar panels should last at least 25-30 years, so it’s important that your roof won’t need to be replaced any time soon, since this would require removing and reinstalling your panels.
- Metal Roofs: Often considered the best option for solar panel installation due to their durability and ease of attachment. Metal roofs typically require fewer roof penetrations, which reduces the risk of leaks. They also have a long lifespan that matches well with the lifespan of solar panels.
- Ceramic Tile Roofs: These roofs require special mounting systems to avoid breaking the tiles. Flashings and brackets are often used to secure the panels without causing damage. The installation process is more complex and may take longer than on other types of roofs.
- Asphalt Shingle Roofs: The most common roofing material in the U.S., asphalt shingle roofs are relatively easy to install on solar panels. However, a structural assessment is often necessary to ensure the roof can support the additional weight of the panels. Proper sealing around the mounts is crucial to prevent leaks.
- Flat Roofs: Typically found on commercial buildings or container homes, flat roofs can accommodate solar panels mounted on racks that can be angled to capture maximum sunlight. These racks allow for flexibility in panel orientation and tilt, which can be optimized for seasonal sun positions.
- Wood Shake Roofs: Less common for solar panel installations due to their potential fire hazard and fragility. Special care must be taken to ensure that the roof material is not damaged during installation.
4. Local Climate and Weather Patterns:
Because solar panels rely on sunlight exposure to generate energy, your local weather plays a significant role in the efficiency of your installation. In some regions, seasonal changes are more drastic than in others. Depending on where you live, the length of sunlight hours and angle of the sun adjusts, which can affect how much sunlight your solar panels are able to take in.
- Cloudy/Rainy Climates: Although solar panels can produce energy on cloudy and rainy days, their efficiency decreases significantly. It's important to use high-efficiency panels in cloudy or rainy areas to maximize energy production.
- Snowy Regions: Snow can cover panels, reducing efficiency. Panels should be installed at an angle that allows snow to slide off easily. Additionally, some systems include heating elements to melt snow and ice.
- Hot Areas: Extremely high temperatures can reduce the efficiency of solar panels. Adequate air circulation is necessary to prevent overheating, which can be achieved with raised mounts or ventilation systems.
Understanding your local climate can help you plan and optimize solar panel performance throughout the year. Visit weather.gov to find more information about your local climate and weather patterns.
Tools and Equipment for Solar Panel Placement
Solar Site Evaluation Tool
Solar site evaluation tools can locate the path of the sun over your house to help you identify the best locations with direct sunlight for installing solar panels. By optimizing the location of installation, solar site evaluation tools can significantly improve the efficacy of your solar system.
They can also be used on existing systems to make improvements if needed as well. Solar site evaluation tools are available at various price points, and professional installers typically have them in their toolkit so you don’t have to buy your own.
Solar Analysis Software
Solar analysis software is a digital aid that simulates and predicts solar capture based on panel placement. This software uses your location, panel orientation, local weather and shading to determine the most efficient location for your panels.
Using this tool can help you optimize your solar system, ensuring you get the most out of your panels. Solar analysis software can also be applied to existing installations to identify potential placement improvements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Solar Panel Placement
Installing solar panels is a significant investment, and avoiding common mistakes can ensure you get the most out of your system. Here are some frequent errors to watch out for and tips on how to prevent them.
Incorrect Panel Orientation
If your panels aren’t facing the direction that receives the most sunlight throughout the day, your entire system will generate less energy. If you hire a solar contractor, they’ll likely use special meters during the installation process to ensure that your panels are oriented directly in the path of the sun.
Inadequate Angle of Inclination
Panels that are not tilted at the correct angle may not capture sunlight optimally. As mentioned above, the ideal tilt angle of your solar panels varies based on geographical location of your home and seasonal weather patterns. An incorrect tilt angle can cause a decrease in energy production, which can reduce the efficiency of your investment.
Adjust the tilt angle of your panels regularly in response to seasonal changes to ensure consistent maximum solar energy capture. Remember: the optimal angle for solar panels is typically equal to your latitude, and you can increase the angle by 15 degrees in winter and decrease it by 15 degrees in summer to optimize efficiency.
Ignoring Shading Issues
Placing solar panels in areas prone to shading can result in significantly reduced energy production. Shadows from trees, buildings and other obstructions can keep sunlight from shining directly on your panels. This can lead to uneven light capturing across the system and cause system problems and potential damage.
You can conduct a site assessment prior to installing panels as well conduct maintenance such as trimming trees and bushes regularly to be sure you don’t run into a shading issue.
Neglecting Regular Maintenance
Solar panels, like any other equipment, require regular maintenance, such as scheduled cleanings, to function at their best. Allowing your solar panels to accumulate dust, debris or animal droppings will degrade their energy production and may damage your system.
This affects the overall lifespan of your solar panels and decreases the cost-effectiveness of the installation. Establish a regular maintenance schedule for cleaning and inspecting the panels. Professional solar panel cleaning services are available, with specialists who can clean the panels without causing damage.
Benefits of Professional Solar Panel Placement
It is important that you do not attempt to install panels yourself unless you have done adequate research and know the best placement for your panels on your home. Professional solar installers have a wealth of expertise, knowledge and equipment that will help you get the most from your installation. Additionally, installations done by professionals may come with benefits like warranties or ongoing support.
For EPB customers, scheduling a free solar consultation with the EPB Energy ProsSM is a great way to get answers to all your solar-related questions and find out if a solar installation is worth it for you. Our experts can guide you through the process of finding a reputable contractor to ensure you make the most of your solar investment. Schedule a free solar consultation.
Maximizing Your Solar Investment Using The Best Solar Panel Placement
Overall, it is crucial to research the best angle, direction and placement for your solar installation. Using the guide above, you can find the best placement for your geological location, local climate and weather patterns.
Remember to avoid placing panels in shaded areas, and schedule regular cleaning and maintenance to make the most of your investment. Successfully solar panel placement comes down to making sure your installation receives the maximum amount of available direct sunlight every single day.
