On a flat roof if the orientation of the building is not strictly n s then you have the option of making panels face south.
Do my solar panels have to face south.
Because if panels are not in the same direction as the orientation of the building then they will take up more space on the roof.
Well when it comes to solar panels west is second best.
What you are doing is optimizing your energy production for maximum savings with your utility company.
If you live in the usa or any other country in the northern hemisphere the best direction to face solar panels is south.
This is a good action if you have enough space on the rooftop.
Go west young one.
Solar panels should face south for any home in america to obtain maximum power generation.
West facing solar panels get less sun than those that face south but it s not as little as you may think.
Face panels south for non tou ratepayers.
Your roof does not have to face exactly south true or not.
This is so that you can expose your solar panels to as much light as possible to optimize their energy production.
However if the local power company charges higher prices in the afternoon your panels should face west to maximize the dollar savings.
For those who are not part of a tou model with their utility company the direction that you want to face your solar panels is south.
See image below for illustration.
But what if you don t have a suitable south facing roof.
However solar panels can be orientated on any roof that faces south of either east or west.
Assuming you ve got good subsidies net metering and good sun it s still going to be very cost effective for you.
In the northern hemisphere the sun crosses the sky a little to the south which means putting solar panels on a south facing roof is the best way for homeowners to capture the most solar energy.
Since most sunlight comes from the south this will make your panels more productive.