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At what angle do solar panels have to be positioned to get the most efficiency?

05 Jan 2010

5 Jan, 2010  solar panels

I want to build a house and put solar panels on my roof. What angle do I need to build my roof at so I can just place solar panels flat on my roof? Which direction does the solar panels need to be facing?

This depends on your latitude and where you are. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, it faces south, with a tilt direction at the sun with respect to the average tilt of the earth. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels (both photovoltaic and solar thermal) face north. If you’re on the equator, then they may lie flat on your roof. In US at a latitude of 40 degrees, you may want a tilt of about 20 degrees (because of change of seasons). You can alway angel the panels easier than modifying an existing roof. Be sure NOT to shade any part of photovoltaic panels at ant time.

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4 Responses

  1. LobsterTail

    2010 Jan 06 1

    This depends on your latitude and where you are. If you’re in the northern hemisphere, it faces south, with a tilt direction at the sun with respect to the average tilt of the earth. If you’re in the southern hemisphere, the solar panels (both photovoltaic and solar thermal) face north. If you’re on the equator, then they may lie flat on your roof. In US at a latitude of 40 degrees, you may want a tilt of about 20 degrees (because of change of seasons). You can alway angel the panels easier than modifying an existing roof. Be sure NOT to shade any part of photovoltaic panels at ant time.
    References :
    Solar home design class at SJSU

  2. coldfuse

    2010 Jan 06 2

    Here is a link for the optimum orientation of solar panels.

    Rather than fixing them in place, you may want to consider being able to change the angle to optimize each season.
    References :
    http://www.macslab.com/optsolar.html

  3. Twitch21

    2010 Jan 06 3

    idk?…towward the sun???
    References :
    common sense

  4. Nata T

    2010 Jan 06 4

    most efficeint would have a motorized system that pointed them toward the sun at all times.
    References :


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