The most ideal position for your solar panels to face is north.
The most ideal position for your solar panels to face is north.
The sun pops up in the morning from the East before it scoots towards the Northern part of the sky, then heads back down on the West in the afternoon. Just as the diagram displays.
So if you have northern facing roof space without obsessives such as trees blocking the sun light, then it’s in your best interest to install the solar panels there.
For those of you who do not have northern facing roof space, don’t stress. Its not the end of the world. You can install on the east and the west too. Just not the south
- The directional losses for NE or NW vary from around 3%-4%.
- For a East or West facing roof, you can lose between 12% and 18%.
- And if a sales rep or installer recommends that you install on the south. Then I suggest you get a second opinion.
Your installer or sales representative should be able to work out your exact directional losses. Make sure that you ask for a plan or diagram indicating exactly where the panels will be installed. And if they are good, you will also get a more accurate calculation for your directional loss, based on the exact pitch of the roof and the exact property location in Australia.
When Do Solar Panels WorkWe’ve covered the directions, but what time do the solar panels really start to produce the solar juice?