Direction To Point Solar Panels

Solar south or geographic south.

Direction to point solar panels.

Build a simple solar pointer and at solar noon you can point your panel t. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day. You could use tools if you wanted to but you can just as quickly figure it out with none at all. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site. Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day.

What you are doing is optimizing your energy production for maximum savings with your utility company. The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west. 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. 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.

However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered. This is the simplest and fastest way to position a solar panel for the best output. If your roof does not face the right direction then surface mounted panels or pole mounted panels may be your best bet. When you point your solar panels west you are not maximizing the total amount of energy that is produced.

Locating the best direction to point your solar panels can be accomplished very quickly. The direction solar panels should face is true south a k a. True south can also be calculated at noon when shadows from vertical objects run north south. The rule is that if you live in the southern hemisphere you should point your panels true north and if you live in the northern hemisphere you should point them true south.