There was only one direction that solar panels should be pointed in the past. It was the direction of the Northern Hemisphere. South-facing solar panels can capture more sunlight and produce more solar energy because the sun is directly above the Equator most of the day.
Each house is unique and has its orientation to sunlight. Every solar installation will present its challenges and opportunities. It is important to place the solar panels so that they not only capture the maximum amount of sunlight but also that it strategically saves homeowners money on their electricity bills.
South-facing panels offer another benefit for homeowners who have access to Net Metering. This allows homeowners to be reimbursed for the power they send back into the electric grid. When there is lots of sunlight, the south-facing orientation of solar panels collects the greatest amount. Because everyone is off work or school, the home’s energy consumption is usually lower. This means plenty of solar-generated energy is left to return to the utility.
However, not all homes are in the southern direction. And even if they were, many variables could affect your solar panels’ direction.
Your SunPower dealer will inspect your home to identify any obstacles, such as trees, chimneys or higher buildings, that might block sunlight from reaching your SunPower(r). Although a home with poor orientation or other sun-blocking obstructions can still produce solar power, it will require more panels to achieve the same efficiency level as a roof with great orientation and no obstacles.
SunPower dealers are also up-to-date on local regulations and rules that could significantly impact the direction of solar panels. These regulations can affect homeowners’ ability, among other things, to use net metering. California, for example, added a new wrinkle to its net-metering plan in 2017. It is called the “time of usage” (TOU), and this change directly impacts solar panel placement.
Before the TOU rate, homeowners were reimbursed at the same rate for power sent back into the grid. This was regardless of whether the power was generated at 10 am or 4 pm. To meet their greatest demand, utilities turn to TOU rates.
Tou rates indicate that the 10 am electricity sent back to the grid is less valuable than the peak-time 4 pm power. To capture more sunlight, solar customers subject to TOU rates may need their panels to face west or south to make the most of the evening sun.
SunPower dealers know that the efficiency of solar panels makes a huge difference in planning a solar installation. 55% more electricity than traditional panels in the same area. *
SunPower’s Design Studio makes it easy to place solar panels around roof obstructions. The software lets homeowners design their solar panels, determining the right places to place them and how many panels they will fit. SunPower’s SunVault (TM) storage system can enhance this design, allowing homeowners to save power and prepare for emergencies.