Is It Necessary to Have a North-Facing Roof for Solar Panels?

Posted in: Solar Power, Panels & Batteries
Solar Flow Team
December 13, 2022

Australia is well-positioned to tap into the sun’s vast energy supply, with over 2.3m rooftop solar panel systems in place and approximately 20,000 new installations per month. The power generated by solar panels installed on a roof is proportional to the sunlight that hits its active surface. Location, the orientation of the solar panels, and the degree or tilt at which they face all affect the system’s potential.

Placing solar panels in the worst possible orientation reduces energy output by about 28 per cent compared to installing them in the best possible orientation. Due to its position throughout the southern hemisphere, Australia experiences a northward shift in solar zenith. Because of this, solar panels positioned towards the north will produce the most yield.

The benefits of installing solar panels on your roof are numerous and widely acknowledged. In addition to helping you save money on your monthly energy bill, solar panels can also act as an off-grid contingency in the case of a blackout and make a positive impact on the environment. While many people are aware of the advantages of rooftop solar, not as many are familiar with the specifics of getting one installed.

Unfortunately, many people put off installing a solar energy system, even if they would benefit greatly from doing so, due to their uncertainty and fear of the unknown. One typical case involves solar panels and houses that face north. All right, let’s break this down. Here, we’ll go through the fundamentals of solar power for residences that face north.

Just how Significant a North-Facing Orientation Is

It is crucial to understand the direction that generates maximum solar production before installing solar panels. The largest amount of solar energy is captured by panels that face north. North-facing panels help homeowners save money on their energy bills since they may use solar power as it is being generated.

A north-facing residence can be beneficial, but that’s probably not news to many of you. Here, we’ll quickly review the reasons for this to help anyone who haven’t yet encountered them (or who might just be interested in a refresher) understand why this is the case.

Houses that face north are highly sought after because of the increased amount of sunlight they can soak up compared to houses that face the south, west, or east. In specifically, any building that is 10 ° east of north is considered to have a favourable orientation.

Panels oriented towards the north will generate the maximum energy.

If you plan to be in your home during the day, installing solar panels on the northern side of your house is probably your best bet. Because people can easily shift demand by operating appliances like washers, dryers, and pool filters during peak production hours, and because they are present to use electricity at those times.

The largest environmental benefit comes from installing solar panels on a north-facing roof.

This is why any home that faces north or north-east will usually be advertised as such. The north and north-east orientations are the most desirable, but the south and west orientations are not terrible.

Aside From Being Oriented to the North

A household’s electricity consumption habits will determine the optimal panel orientation for maximum self-consumption of solar electricity. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of panel orientations and the types of homes that are most suited to each.

West Orientation

Electricity output from solar panels is reduced by about 15% when they are oriented to the west as opposed to the north. Electrical output is lowest in the morning and highest in the afternoon. About an hour and a half after midday is when they’re at their most productive, and a few hours before dusk, they’re at about a fourth of their peak.

Those whose air-conditioning needs are greatest in the heat of summer may benefit from facing west. It’s also a great route for folks who leave the house before sunrise and come back in the afternoon.

As a result of the lower total electricity generation relative to north-facing panels, the rise in individual consumption that would occur will need to be substantial for west-facing panels to be viable.

The peak solar energy production for west-facing panels occurs between 1:30 and 5pm. It’s perfect for people who have to be elsewhere in the morning but who can relax at home in the afternoon. One can save money on their monthly electricity bill by using their appliances during this time.

Otherwise, they’ll have to pay a premium to electricity retailers to meet their needs during these times of high demand. Those who get the most use out of their panels in the afternoon may want to install them facing west rather than north. Only after careful consideration should such a decision be made.

North-West Orientation

North-west looking solar panels are estimated to generate 5 percent less electricity than their north-facing counterparts. The amount of energy they generate during the day will fall somewhere between that of north- and west-facing panels. They are most productive in the afternoon and least productive in the morning with regards to electricity production.

East Orientation

While east-facing solar panels produce around 15% lower electricity than north-facing panels on average, they generate more power in the mornings and less power in the afternoons. They are ideal for homes with peak morning usage, such as those who rely heavily on electric heating on chilly winter mornings or those who are typically not at home during the afternoon.

North-East Orientation

The electricity generated by north-east facing panels is roughly 5 percent lower than that generated by north-facing panels, and their daily output falls in the middle of that of north-facing and east-facing modules.

Both East and West

The overall amount of energy produced will be about 15% lower if some solar panels are facing east but some are facing west instead of all facing north. This configuration, often known as an east/west split, has the potential to boost self-consumption by providing a more consistent supply of electricity throughout the day. The finer the output of its system, the taller the roof must be.

Typically, an east/west divide can accommodate a mix of module orientations, with some modules facing east and others west. Thereby, more panels facing west can be installed if a home’s electricity consumption is highest in the afternoon.

Splitting the day between the east and west works well for individuals who spend the day at home as well as those who only spend the morning and afternoon there.

South Orientation

Most Australians agree that south is the least favorable possible orientation for modules, and that installing panels south facing is almost as bad an idea as installing them backwards. However, with the significant drop in solar panel prices over the past decade, it is now economically viable to mount solar PV panels on such a south-facing roof.

In Sydney, solar panels installed on a south-facing roof generate about 28% less electricity than those installed on a north-facing roof, and the difference increases with the steepness of the roof.

South-facing solar panels will generate about 17 percent less electricity than their north-facing counterparts in Townsville, although this differential is not as pronounced in the far north. Furthermore, they will generate more energy throughout the summer months than north-facing panels would. South-facing modules are especially useful in Townsville, where residents’ electricity usage spikes in the warmer months due to the use of air conditioners.

However, the most cost-effective orientation for solar modules in Darwin is north, with south only producing around 15% less electricity overall.

Mixing up the Directions

There is no need to limit panel orientation to an east-west divide. Some solar panels may face north, while others could face west. The output will be equivalent to that of panels facing north-west. In fact, solar panels can be installed to face in more than 2 directions.

How This Affects Solar Panels on Roofs

Many would-be solar panel owners assume that a north-facing home will be ideal because it will get the most sunlight overall. Homes that face other directions than north will not benefit as much from installing solar panels on their roofs. This viewpoint is accurate in some respects, yet it also contains ambiguities.

Despite the fact that installations with a northerly orientation are ideal, the actual benefits they bring in contrast to solar installations on a different face — say, the north west — can be a considerably closer competition than most of us may otherwise assume. In particular, one must think about how much energy a household wants to sell as opposed to using for its own needs.

Variety of Choices

The feed-in tariff (FIT) has been reduced in recent years in a number of Australian jurisdictions. In general, there are a variety of causes for this trend.

Nonetheless, it is driven in large part by the desire of authorities to limit the amount of electricity exported to the grid by rooftop solar installations. This change in FIT necessitates a reevaluation of which potential home orientations are most advantageous.

Solar panels oriented towards the north will generate the greatest energy overall. The electricity generated by a system facing west, however, is maximised in the afternoon and minimised in the morning.

Western orientations can be especially useful for persons who use a lot of energy in the afternoon, or who can plan ahead to make use of the self-consumption potential a rooftop system provides.

And a north-west facing system will have the benefits (and drawbacks) of both of those orientations.

Less energy will be generated by a system oriented to the north-west than by one facing due north, but it will still be greater than that generated by a system oriented to the west.

Similarly, a north-west facing configuration won’t create as much power as a western facing arrangement in the afternoon, but it will still acquire more power than a northern facing arrangement. Rooftop solar installations facing east or north-east also involve compromises.

Facing a Difficulty

Remember that solar panel installations are not a “set it and forget it” type of project. To guarantee the panels keep working as they should, routine tests and maintenance are required. As an example, it’s important to schedule regular cleanings; most companies advise doing so once every six months. Any solar-powered home whose occupants are (now) dissatisfied with the orientation of their panels may, therefore, have the option to change the face.

Many factors need the relocation of solar panels. If, for instance, a tree had grown too tall and is casting too much shade on the panels, but the owners are unwilling to cut it down, the panels could be relocated.

The panels should have been positioned optimally not just for the present but also for the foreseeable future prior to installation. A good solar installation, however, should be prepared to offer further discussion if a repositioning has become desired.

Directionality That Is Preferred

Many considerations must be considered when determining the optimal direction for a roof solar installation. You should know that a north-facing orientation isn’t required, and isn’t necessarily the best option. In particular, given the recent cutback in the FIT.

Contacting a reliable solar installer is the greatest way for a family to find out what kind of solar system will work best for their home. The same holds true if and when it becomes necessary or desirable to reconsider the panels’ current placement and explore potential alternatives.

Pick the Solar Plan That’s Right for You

There are a variety of affordable bundles available that include both top-tier solar panels and Australian-made batteries to meet a variety of energy and financial requirements. You can use solar energy round-the-clock if you have enough storage for your excess production.

Solar panel and battery system installations can now be financed through a number of different avenues. The debt is settled gradually.

Designing a solar energy system requires careful optimisation. It’s useful for getting the most out of one’s sun. How one utilises electricity in relationship to its solar production determines the ideal setup of a solar power system.

A reputable solar installer will use information about your home and how much electricity you use to devise a plan for installing solar panels in the best possible position to maximise your system’s efficiency and your return on investment.

FAQs About Solar Panel Orientation

What Does Solar Panel Orientation Mean?

In order to maximise energy production, solar modules must always be oriented towards the sun. Engineers of solar power plants do this by positioning the modules so that they face due south inside the arctic circle and due north inside the southern hemisphere. This phenomenon is commonly known as the tilt of the Solar Panel System.

Do All Solar Panels Need to Face the Same Direction?

Trackers can be purchased by homeowners to ensure that their solar panels are always oriented towards the sun, much like a sunflower. A panel’s production can be increased by 45 percent with the help of a tracker.

Should Solar Panels Be Flat or Angled?

A solar panel array with no tilt would be horizontal on the ground. If it were hanging straight to the ground, however, the angle would be 90 degrees. Tilting the solar panel allows it to get nearer to the sun and increase the amount of energy it collects.

Can Solar Panels Be Laid Flat?

Solar panel installation on a flat rooftop requires a building permit. You probably already know that solar panels installed on a flat rooftops are framed so that they face in the right direction when it comes to the sun. In most cases, this requires an outward projection that is greater than 0.2 metres over the sloping roof, which is prohibited under “permitted development” regulations.

Should Solar Panels Always Face Directly Into the Sun?

The sun’s rays will be the most significant contributor to solar energy production, thus positioning your solar panels correctly is crucial. The sun’s rays should be perpendicular towards the solar panel’s surface for maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

Panels angled towards the north get the most sun. Lower energy costs can be realised by installing panels on the north side of a house.

Additionally helping the planet, solar panels can be used as a backup power source in the event of a grid failure.

Homes that face north are more desirable than those that face the south, west, or east because they receive more sunlight. If solar panels are facing west instead of north, they produce around 15% less electricity.

Panels facing west produce the most energy from the sun between 1:30 and 5 in the afternoon. Solar panels facing north-west produce an estimated 5 percent less energy than those facing due north. A solar array’s output is reduced by about 15 percent when it faces east as opposed to the north.

Panels can be angled in more than just a 90 degree angle. North-facing solar panels generate the most energy for the least amount of money, although south-facing panels only produce about 15% less energy.

It’s possible that some of the solar panels may be oriented northward, while others will be oriented westward. The power generated is comparable to that of panels oriented in the north-west.

A number of Australian jurisdictions have decreased the feed-in tariff (FIT) in recent years.

Solar panels mounted on roofs with an eastern or northern exposure also require some sacrifices. If the homeowners of a solar-powered home aren’t happy with the appearance of their panels, they may always get new ones.

Solar panels must be moved for a variety of reasons. There is no necessity for, or even advantage to, a north-facing orientation. The easiest approach for a family to determine what sort of solar system would be suitable for their home would be to get in touch with a reputable solar installation.

Content Summary

Australia is well-positioned to tap into the sun’s vast energy supply, with over 2.3m rooftop solar panel systems in place and approximately 20,000 new installations per month.
Location, the orientation of the solar panels, and the degree or tilt at which they face all affect the system’s potential.
The benefits of installing solar panels on your roof are numerous and widely acknowledged.
The largest amount of solar energy is captured by panels that face north.
Houses that face north are highly sought after because of the increased amount of sunlight they can soak up compared to houses that face the south, west, or east.
Panels oriented towards the north will generate the maximum energy.
If you plan to be in your home during the day, installing solar panels on the northern side of your house is probably your best bet.
The largest environmental benefit comes from installing solar panels on a north-facing roof.
A household’s electricity consumption habits will determine the optimal panel orientation for maximum self-consumption of solar electricity.
Electricity output from solar panels is reduced by about 15% when they are oriented to the west as opposed to the north.
The peak solar energy production for west-facing panels occurs between 1:30 and 5pm.
Those who get the most use out of their panels in the afternoon may want to instal them facing west rather than north.
They are most productive in the afternoon and least productive in the morning with regards to electricity production.
While east-facing solar panels produce around 15% lower electricity than north-facing panels on average, they generate more power in the mornings and less power in the afternoons.
Typically, an east/west divide can accommodate a mix of module orientations, with some modules facing east and others west.
Thereby, more panels facing west can be installed if a home’s electricity consumption is highest in the afternoon.
Splitting the day between the east and west works well for individuals who spend the day at home as well as those who only spend the morning and afternoon there.
Most Australians agree that south is the least favorable possible orientation for modules, and that installing panels south facing is almost as bad an idea as installing them backwards.
However, with the significant drop in solar panel prices over the past decade, it is now economically viable to mount solar PV panels on such a south-facing roof.
In Sydney, solar panels installed on a south-facing roof generate about 28% less electricity than those installed on a north-facing roof, and the difference increases with the steepness of the roof.
However, the most cost-effective orientation for solar modules in Darwin is north, with south only producing around 15% less electricity overall.
There is no need to limit panel orientation to an east-west divide.
The output will be equivalent to that of panels facing north-west.
In fact, solar panels can be installed to face in more than 2 directions.
Despite the fact that installations with a northerly orientation are ideal, the actual benefits they bring in contrast to solar installations on a different face — say, the north west — can be a considerably closer competition than most of us may otherwise assume.
In particular, one must think about how much energy a household wants to sell as opposed to using for its own needs.
The feed-in tariff (FIT) has been reduced in recent years in a number of Australian jurisdictions.
Nonetheless, it is driven in large part by the desire of authorities to limit the amount of electricity exported to the grid by rooftop solar installations.
Solar panels oriented towards the north will generate the greatest energy overall.
Western orientations can be especially useful for persons who use a lot of energy in the afternoon, or who can plan ahead to make use of the self-consumption potential a rooftop system provides.
Rooftop solar installations facing east or north-east also involve compromises.
Any solar-powered home whose occupants are (now) dissatisfied with the orientation of their panels may, therefore, have the option to change the face.
Many factors need the relocation of solar panels.
Many considerations must be considered when determining the optimal direction for a roof solar installation.
Designing a solar energy system requires careful optimisation.
A reputable solar installer will use information about your home and how much electricity you use to devise a plan for installing solar panels in the best possible position to maximise your system’s efficiency and your return on investment.