On average, home solar panels are rated to produce 250-400 watts per hour. So, if you have a solar panel system that’s 25 square feet, that means it can produce about 6250 watts per day.
But what happens when your solar panels are not in the optimal position to produce solar power?
The answer is that you’re losing out on solar energy production. In fact, solar panel orientation can account for a loss of up to 20% in solar panel output.
What’s the best way to orient your solar panels? Keep reading to find out.
Solar Panel Direction
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Ideally, the best direction for solar panels is due south if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and north if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere. This ensures that direct sunlight will hit your solar panels for most of the day.
However, depending on the layout of your home and the surrounding trees, this might not always be possible. If that’s the case, don’t worry — solar panels can still produce electricity even when they’re not facing directly at the sun.
The important thing is to make sure that your solar panels have an unobstructed view of the sky. This way, they’ll be able to receive as much sunlight as possible.
Angle
The angle at which your solar panels are positioned will affect how much sunlight they receive throughout the day.
You should position solar panels at an angle perpendicular to the sun’s rays. This means that if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, your solar panels should face towards the south, and if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, they should face towards the north.
The ideal angle for solar panels varies depending on your latitude. For most homes in the US, this angle is between 30 and 45 degrees.
You can use a solar panel angle calculator to determine the best angle for your solar panels. You can also visit https://blueravensolar.com/blog/solar-installers-near-you-part-2/ and hire a solar installer to do it for you.
Seasonal Adjustments
Throughout the year, the sun’s position in the sky changes. This means that the angle at which your solar panels are positioned will also need to be adjusted to ensure that they’re receiving direct sunlight.
For example, if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll need to adjust your solar panels to be angled towards the south in the summer and towards the east in the winter.
Making these seasonal adjustments can be a bit of a hassle, but it’s worth it if it means increasing your solar panel output.
Shading
Solar panels need direct sunlight to produce electricity. This means that shading from trees, buildings, or other objects can significantly impact solar panel output.
If you have shading issues, the best thing you can do is try to trim back any trees or bushes that are causing the problem. If that’s not possible, you might want to consider installing your solar panels on a tracking system to follow the sun throughout the day and minimize shading.
Get the Best Solar Panel Orientation
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels, then you’ll need to pay attention to solar panel orientation.
Solar panel positioning is a crucial factor in determining how much solar power your panels will be able to produce. By orienting your solar panels in the right direction, you can maximize solar panel output and save money on your electric bill.
We hope you found this guide helpful. For more important tips, check out our other blog posts.
