Which Way Should Solar Panels Face In Australia

For australia solar power yields are higher when panels face north.

Which way should solar panels face in australia.

This table shows you how much energy you can expect to get from almost any combination of solar panel direction and angle in the capital cities compared to the optimum orientation. 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 example in brisbane if your panels are facing west 270 and are angled 20 from horizontal you will get 89 of the energy compared to the optimum orentation of north and 30. The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west.

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. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. A solaray consultant can visit your home and use specially designed software demonstrate the sun and or shade that your particular roof will have in winter summer. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south.

Net energy metering and time of use. To date installing south facing solar panels has been a shunned option with the belief that the systems won t perform at all. The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. The direction solar panels should ideally face for optimum sun exposure varies depending on location.

Solar panels will generate the most energy over the course of a year when they are facing north. This is especially important in winter when the sun is lower in the northern sky. So to help people decide what is the best direction to face their panels for all the australian capitals i ll describe. If your roof does not face the right direction then surface mounted panels or pole mounted panels may be your best bet.

Solar south or geographic south. In fact all southern hemisphere locations should ideally position panels in a northerly direction. An east west split can normally have a different number of panels facing in each direction so if a household uses more electricity in the afternoon more solar panels can be installed facing west. The direction in which panels will generate over 99 9 of maximum possible output.

To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. For most people in australia the direction you want your solar panels to face is true north and with between 20 50 degrees of tilt depending on how southern or northern you are. It s determined by the shape of their roof. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day.

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. If your property is located in the northern hemisphere panels facing. Which direction should solar panels face.