Solar Panel Alignment Map

If you are using a compass to orient your panels you need to correct for the difference which varies from place to place.

Solar panel alignment map.

This solar angle calculator tells you by location the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. Solar panels produce electricity when sunlight hits their surface and they produce the most energy when that sunlight is exactly perpendicular to the panel face. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. Therefore the best angle for your solar panels is the one that allows the panels to get the most direct perpendicular light.

If ground or wall mounted panels don t work for you solar panels can also be mounted on a building near your house like your garage or a storage shed. To find your latitude consult a map for your region. Ground mounted solar panels can even be placed on trackers which adjust the position of the panels throughout the year in order to maximize the amount of sunlight reaching them. True north is not the same as magnetic north.

While you can use solar panel trackers to keep them at the optimum angle at all times the costs and complications involved aren t worth it in most cases. Find the best angle for optimizing solar collection during winter when solar energy is most scarce by multiplying your latitude by 0 89 and. If you live in the northern hemisphere face them south. Solar panels on a shallow roof capture more sunlight during the summer season whereas solar panels on a steep roof will produce more power during the winter.

For best results your solar panels should face toward the equator.