Which Direction Should Solar Panels Face Uk

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Which direction should solar panels face uk.

The direction that your solar panels face is ultimately dependent on whether or not your system is connected through net energy metering nem and under a time of use tou payment structure. However if the local power company charges higher prices in the afternoon your panels should face west to maximize the dollar savings. In northern hemisphere most solar panels point south. To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site.

On the other hand if you live in the southern hemisphere you can use this same technique. The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face. So what direction should solar panels face.

The direction your panels face is certainly a factor in how much they will generate and closer to south is better but it is only one factor. Net energy metering and time of use. Since the majority of solar panel owners keep their system on the grid we can split this grouping into simply those who pay for energy based on a tou payment. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

If your roof faces slightly off south or even straight east west it is still very likely that solar pv could generate savings and income for you. However you would want to face your solar panels in the opposite direction of where your shadows face. Since most sunlight comes from the south this will make your panels more productive. The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west.

This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. So we ve established that there s a sweet spot for your solar panel orientation which is directly south and a sweet spot for elevation which is between 30º and 40º. Joshua rhodes a postdoctoral research fellow in the webber energy group and the energy institute at the university. The following is a guest post by dr.

If your roof does not face the right direction then surface mounted panels or pole mounted panels may be your best bet. If you live in the usa or any other country in the northern hemisphere the best direction to face solar panels is south. This is the direction your solar panels should face. Most solar panels are facing the wrong direction say scientists.

You could even stick a stick in the ground and take note. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day. Solar south or geographic south.