Solar Panels face wrong direction

[Deleted member 4210]

This is very true. I've built portable PV set ups, and using 100 watt panels, experimented with directional solar generation, and the panel facing west generated more electricity over a year period, than anything facing south, southwest, or southeast. Amazed at how many solar 'so called experts' install these expensive systems, short-changing the customers who buy them and are notoriously facing south all the time. If you don't feel you have sufficient roof space facing south, then place panels on a south and west facing roof if your roof is designed that way. Typical roof layout on a Georgian style house works great for that.

An older article that no one today who is installing residential or commercial PV wants anyone to see...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/science...Scientists-claim-systems-face-west-south.html

 

[pmcdonald]

I'd caution concluding this study is evidence of widespread industry incompetence.

It's an important conversation to have, but bear in mind the study was based on a single sample in a single city (Austin, TX). It found west facing panels generated 2% more energy compared to south facing panels.

I claim almost complete ignorance in the field of solar, but I understand there's a myriad of factors that influence optimal energy production. For example, hot climate areas may actually benefit from east facing panels to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. Solar panel efficiency falls off in hotter temperature - on a hot 40C day here in NSW our panels may be operating at 75% efficiency versus a pleasant 25C day. I see it in the hourly stats from our smart meter. In parts of the world where afternoons are frequently cloudy west facing panels might not be a smart idea either. In other areas accustomed to morning fog west panels might be a great idea! Regional variances matter, and stymie these sorts of blanket proclamations.

I noted on a trip to Vermont last year six and nine panel arrays on rotating arms were common to follow the arc of the sun. I'm curious about the benefits versus energy cost of that kind of setup.

Here in Australia you most frequently see them due north facing (much of our housing is built north-south), and second most commonly on west facing roofs where space or the roof pitch limits north facing installation. The big installations in my state appear to be a combination of north, west, and north-west facing, such as this one: https://goo.gl/maps/DiWcgFWzZB358MQK6

This is an industry chart noting optimal panel direction based in Sydney, two hours to my south:

I'd rather link some hard research on the subject but don't have any at hand right now. Interesting topic though - I'll bring it up with a few colleagues who work as academics in the area.

 

[scrambler]

It indeed depends where you are located on the planet