What’s the Ideal Placement of Solar Panels at Home?

Knowing the best placement of solar panels is as equally important as choosing the right solar panels. If the panels are placed at a perfect angle while facing the right direction, they’ll be able to produce maximum energy.

Orientation, pitch, and location are the major factors you need to consider when deliberating on the placement of solar panels. Of course, it’s best to consult a professional for technical know-how, but here’s a few basic information you’ll need to know.

Orientation

The recommended orientation for your solar panels can be boiled down to the simple logic of the sun’s movements. Wherever you are, the sun always appears in the east and descends in the west. With this in mind, the best orientation for solar panels is when they face south.

There’ll be no shadows in south-facing panels since they always face the sun. As a result, they can generate more energy than east and west-facing solar panels. Moreover, avoid placing solar panels on the north side of a roof because these areas will have more shade.

While great sun exposure directly affects the output of your solar energy system, not all components should be placed in direct sunlight, specifically the inverters. They’re semiconductor-based equipment that is very sensitive to overheating. That’s why professionals always advise using covers for solar inverters.

Pitch

While it may have less impact than the orientation of the solar panels, the pitch or slope also plays a role in solar panel orientation. It refers to the angle or tilt of the roof. If the solar panels are placed at the perfect angle, the production of the solar array increases.

Roof pitch is determined by the number of a roof’s vertical rise for every 12 inches of the horizontal run measurement. The ideal roof pitch optimizes angles to ensure your panels get the most sunlight possible for your roof orientation and house location.

For optimal annual energy production, the rule of thumb is to set roof pitch equal to the geographical latitude (the latitude of the location of the installation). For instance, if the solar array is at 60° latitude, the optimal roof pitch is also 60°. In this regard, flat-roofed homes are ideal.

If the tilt angle can’t equal the geographical latitude, the optimal roof pitch is around 30°-45°. If the roof pitch is at 40°, there’s a tendency that your energy generation will decrease by roughly 1%. Considering this, if your roof is too steep, like at over 40°, full energy independence is less likely to be achieved.

Location

The best location for your panels is in an area where they can get the most sunlight. Panels work best when the sun is shining but still produce power on cloudy days and during winter. Here are the best locations that can fully accommodate solar panels.

Roofs

The roof is the most common location for solar panels since it’s the area that has the most contact with direct sunlight. Most solar panels are designed to accommodate angled roofs, but there are still other things you need to consider to maximize energy production.

Such factors include:

• Available space;

• Roof’s sturdiness; and

• Shaded areas.

Enough space on the roof is needed to accommodate a couple of solar panels. In addition, consider the panels’ weight and the roof’s strength for convenient installation. Lastly, shades are natural enemies of solar panels, so eliminate shaded areas to maximize energy production.

Grounds

The best thing about a ground installation of panels is that it’s very easy to maintain, which is very helpful for those with physical conditions or who know less about solar-powered systems.

However, you may have to give up some parts of your property to power it up with solar energy. Before committing your land for a ground installation of your panels, make sure it meets the following:

• Flood-prone;

• With drainage system; and

• Short distance between panels and structure.

The terrain should have an effective drainage system to avoid water buildup from floods, especially during wet seasons, that may cause possible physical damage to the panels. Additionally, panels placed far from the structures will require more equipment and maintenance, so it’s best to shorten their distance.

Building Integration

Installing building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) into existing buildings could be tricky, particularly for older structures. But, on a positive note, doing so can either preserve the structure or modify it for the better. That being so, BIPVs extend the usable lifespan of buildings and at the same lower energy costs.

Final Thoughts

Solar energy systems aren’t only sustainable but also very economical. While its installation costs are high, the payback period is relatively short due to lower monthly utility bills and government aid. Ensure proper and effective installation of solar panels to ensure these financial returns and make solar energy a worthwhile investment.

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