Solar Power Panel Direction

To correct the compass reading your solar installer will calculate the magnetic declination of your site.

Solar power panel direction.

Solar panels should face south for any home in america to obtain maximum power generation. However solar panels can be orientated on any roof that faces south of either east or west. Solar south or geographic south. It only takes a few minutes.

The most optimum direction to face your solar panels is somewhere between south and west. One last point to consider is that each person s conditions are different and you may have to make minor adjustments to your setup. In the northern hemisphere the general rule for solar panel placement is solar panels should face true south and in the southern true north. If your roof does not face the right direction then surface mounted panels or pole mounted panels may be your best bet.

Usually this is the best direction because solar panels will receive direct light throughout the day. It is at this location that your panels will receive the maximum sunlight throughout the day. Therefore directions like southwest or southeast are fine. As you can see configuring the direction and angle for solar panels is not too complicated.

However there is a difference between magnetic south and true south that must be considered.