Which Way Should Solar Panels Face In California

The conventional wisdom in the northern hemisphere is that the best direction to face solar panels is south since that is generally where they d receive the most sunlight.

Which way should solar panels face in california.

The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. Solar south or geographic south. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south. However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered.

That ratio improves to 82 for homes in los angeles california. Therefore directions like southwest or southeast are fine. In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible.

Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as possible. Consequently the direction that a solar panel faces determines how much energy it can produce. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. Find out in about 60 seconds.

However the electricity system is not as simple as it sometimes seems and the best direction to face solar panels may actually be west. However solar panels can be orientated on any roof that faces south of either east or west. If your roof does not face the right direction then surface mounted panels or pole mounted panels may be your best bet. Updated may 18 2020 solar panels should face south for any home in america to obtain maximum power generation.

To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. Face panels west for tou ratepayers for solar panel owners that are under a tou payment system the best way to save money on your electric bill is to produce more energy during peak hours than during off hours. The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west. According to the concord consortium makers of energy3d solar energy modeling software a home in boston ma with panels that face west would get 80 of the electricity that a house with south facing panels would.

It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day. This means that your solar panels will be put in a unique direction specifically to maximize energy production between this time range.