Why is south facing best for solar?

The traditional advice is to position solar panels to be south-facing. This is because, for those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere, the sun is always along the southern part of the sky as we complete our yearly orbit around it.

Does my roof need to be south facing for solar panels?

Solar panels depend on light from the sky to make electricity. Therefore, facing them the right direction will allow your panels to produce the most power at the most important times.

Can you put solar panels on north facing roof?

While it is technically possible to install solar panels on the north side of your roof, it’s not the best location for solar production (in fact, it’s the worst) – you’ll likely need to use special mounting so that the panels oppose your roof’s slant in order to generate electricity.

Where should solar panels be placed for optimal efficiency?

south
For the best results, solar panels should be oriented towards the south. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere.

What is the difference between true south and magnetic south?

When the compass needle points at the south, it is actually aligning with the Magnetic South Pole and not the true South Pole. We often refer to the direction of the Earth’s South Pole as the true south or the true solar south, while the direction of the magnetic south pole is referred to as the Magnetic South.

Is East or West better for solar panels?

Generally, solar panels that face directly east or directly west produce about 20 percent less electricity than if they were facing south. This means that they won’t sit flush with your roof, and will still produce relatively little electricity.

Where is the best place to put solar panels on your house?

The best position for solar panels is towards the south, but even west and east facing roofs can accommodate solar. A 30-degree angle is suitable for the best year-round solar production, but anywhere from 15 to 40 degrees can be great as well.