It is essential to install house solar panels at the best feasible angle to optimise their sun exposure. This not only has an impact on the energy output, but it also has a direct impact as to how much money you can save on your electricity bill.
The ideal angle for your rooftop solar panels is directly influenced by your location, roof, and weather:
1. Your Geographical Location
The most significant factor in finding the appropriate angle for your solar panels is your location in terms of latitude and longitude. The idea is to orient your panels towards the equator, where the sun is directly above for the majority of the year.
- The lesser the angle, the closer you are to the equator. If you lived on the equator, you could point your solar panels directly up and generate all of your energy from the sun.
- The more away you are from the equator, the steeper the angle required. To maximum solar energy production, you’d nearly have to direct your solar panels at the horizon if you lived on one of the poles.
The number of peak sun hours your residence receives is also influenced by its location. We’re not discussing the time between sunrise and dusk. Consider peak sun hours to be the time of day when the sun shines the brightest.
2. The Structure of Your Roof
The roof of your home must meet certain specifications in order to maximise your energy production. Experts from a reputable solar power business may examine your roof and determine whether any of the following three sub-factors may impact the optimal angle for your solar panels:
Your House’s Roof Angle
Every home is different, and every roof is different as well. There are numerous roof angles to consider, ranging from the steep roofs of a snow hut to the flat roofs of a modern desert home. Your solar installer may need to build additional support structures to increase or decrease the angle of your solar panels, depending on the angle of your roof. If your roof has a variety of pitches, corners, and forms, these calculations might get even more complicated.
Your Roof’s Dimensions
Solar panel location is influenced by the curve of your roof. Solar panels are typically installed on gable, hip, or flat roofs, and all of them can provide optimal sunshine exposure. However, the more architectural aspects on your roof, the more difficult it is to establish where and how your solar panels should be installed. Again, it’s better to leave this task to experienced solar professionals.
Your Roofing’s Shading
Because solar panels generate electricity by absorbing sunlight, anything that blocks the Sun’s beams will lower the amount of electricity they generate. Because even partial shading is hazardous for your solar power system, it’s critical to put your solar panels where they get the least amount of shade. To avoid shadowing, take into account all times of day and seasons of the year to ensure that no neighbouring object casts a shadow on your roof as the sun moves east and west.
3. Your Seasonal Weather
The quantity of sunlight you’ll get in a given season depends on where you are on the planet. Solar seasonality is important in calculating the best angle of your solar panels because the height of the sun varies from location to place and season to season. If your area experiences a lot of early morning fog, for example, you might want to slant the panels to maximise production in the late afternoon.
Another issue to consider is that the optimal angle varies from summer to winter, thus solar panels are often set at an angle that balances both seasons’ needs. Returning to our previous example, Miami, Florida is built at a 25-degree angle because the optimal summer angle is closer to 10 degrees and the ideal winter angle is closer to 40 degrees, thus the 25-degree angle is a compromise between the two.
Working with a professional solar firm like Palmetto will ensure that your solar array is put at the optimal angle for maximum efficiency, regardless of your location or situation.