If you’re installing a home solar system, have you thought about solar panel alignment yet? The angles of your solar panels will determine how much energy they generate for your home, and ideally you want your solar system to generate as much energy as possible. Our team will take a closer look at why solar panel alignment is so important.
Why Is Solar Panel Alignment Important?
You want your solar panels to be placed at the angle that allows them to absorb the maximum amount of sunlight, which is when your panels are perpendicular to the sun. Not everyone’s roof allows for this possibility, so it’s important to work with a qualified solar technician who can place your solar panels at the best angle.
Factors That Affect Your Solar Panel Angle
- Latitude: The further away your house is from the equator, the steeper your solar panels need to be tilted to get the maximum amount of sunlight. Someone who lives in Arizona, for example, will have a different optimal tilt to their solar panels than someone who lives in Minnesota.
- The Season: The ideal angle for your solar panels is different depending on the season. Mainly, this is because during the winter the sun is much lower in the sky than in the summer.
- Your Roof Design: This factor isn’t one that you have much control over, unless you’re building a new home from scratch. Whether your roof is flat or angled, a solar technician can advise on the best solar panel alignment for you.
What else affects your solar panels?
- Roof pitch: The pitch of your roof refers to how steep the angles are. A flat roof has zero pitch, while angled roofs are all pitched, just at different steepness levels.
- Shade: If you have a lot of tree cover on your property, this will need to be considered when installing your solar panels. Ideally you want as little shade as possible, because sometimes trees and shrubs can get in the way.
- Property orientation: Some homes are north-facing, some are south-facing, and so on. You will have one part of your roof that is most suitable for solar panels, and the orientation of that part of the roof will determine the best angle for your solar system.
For more information about solar panel alignment, or if you have any other solar panel installation questions, please visit us at: https://greenhouse.solar/
