South is the best direction for solar panels to face in California. South-facing panels perform better for homeowners because they can capture more sunlight and generate more electricity.
Since the Earth exists on a slight tilt, sunshine is not evenly distributed. For homeowners in the Northern Hemisphere, the southern-facing surfaces receive more sunlight. The more sunlight your panels absorb, the more clean energy you can use to power your home. This offsets drawing energy from the grid and can lower your utility bills.
If your roof does not face south or your southern roof surface has obstacles, Californians can still see substantial savings with panels facing east and west. The worst direction for solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere is north.
Summary
- The best directions solar panels can face is toward the south, but east-west oriented systems also perform well
- Properly orienting your solar panels can increase performance, energy generation and savings
- While north is the worst direction for solar panels to face, homeowners in California can still see the benefits of a home solar panel system
What is the best direction for solar panels in California?
South is the best direction for solar panels to face in California. South-facing panels perform better for homeowners because they can capture more sunlight and generate more electricity.
Since the Earth exists on a 23-degree angle tilt, sunshine is not evenly distributed. For homeowners in the Northern Hemisphere, the southern-facing surfaces receive more sunlight. The sun only shines directly above in the tropics, depending on the time of year. For Californians, the sun will always shine from the south.
The more sunlight your panels absorb, the more clean energy you can use to power your home. This offsets drawing energy from the grid and can further lower your utility bills.
If your roof does not face south or your southern roof surface has obstacles, Californians can still see substantial savings with panels facing east and west. However, southern exposure is best in the Northern Hemisphere.
The best solar panel facing direction by purpose
For the vast majority of homeowners in California and the contiguous United States, south is the best direction for solar panels for multiple reasons.
South is the best direction for maximizing solar output, or how much energy is created for your home. Additionally, south is the best direction for charging solar batteries and reducing reliance on the utility grid.
For homeowners looking to minimize the impact of increased rates during higher usage times — known as Time of Use (TOU) rates — south, southwest or west can be the best direction. As the sun sets in the west, southwest-facing and west-facing solar panels can take advantage of the afternoon and evening sun — which is typically when utility rates are highest.
Do solar panels have to face south?
If your home doesn’t have a south-facing roof or your south-facing roof is not ideal for solar, California homeowners can still benefit from east and west-oriented solar panels. East-west oriented systems can also produce significant amounts of electricity and contribute toward utility savings. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, which can impact your system’s performance. East-facing panels capture more sunlight in the morning, while west-facing panels capture more sunlight in the afternoon and evening.
Generally, east-facing and west-facing panels produce around 15% less electricity than south-facing panels — north-facing panels produce around 30% less electricity than panels facing the south.
The worst direction for solar panels in California to face is north, as the northern surfaces are typically oriented away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere. If there are no other options, California receives more sunshine than many states which can help homeowners with north-facing roofs. For some north-facing roofs, solar panels can be oriented toward the northwest and northeast to take advantage of the sun’s movement.
Does the direction of solar panels matter?
The direction your solar panels face can impact the amount of sunlight they receive and generate. By setting up your solar panel system correctly, you can maximize energy generation and monthly savings.
In the Northern Hemisphere, south-facing solar panels receive more sunlight. South-facing solar panels can capture more sunlight, generate more electricity, offset more energy from the grid and provide homeowners with more savings.
Placing solar panels on roof surfaces that face south, or at least east or west, can improve your investment’s results. As long as there is sunlight, solar panels can power your home using clean energy — but strategic placement can increase exposure to sunlight.
Which matters more: direction or angle?
The direction and angle of your solar panels can both impact the success of your system. Both direction and angle impact how much sunlight can be caught and converted into clean electricity. Direction matters more for homeowners because it dictates how much sunlight solar panels can receive, while there are angle ranges that typically correspond to most household roofs.
Enact, as a trusted advisor for solar in California, designs systems that maximize generation and savings. Through our software, we design systems with direction, angle and other factors in mind to best serve our customers.
Why is southern exposure the best direction for solar panels in California?
Your home’s geographic location does impact the direction solar panels should face. For homes in California, the best roof location for solar panels is on south-facing roofs. South-facing roofs receive the most sunlight, which can maximize the amount of electricity your system can generate.
This is true for all homes in the Northern Hemisphere, encompassing the entire United States, as the Earth is on a 23-degree axis tilt — meaning the sun shines down at an angle and creates an uneven distribution of light. For homeowners in the Southern Hemisphere, the opposite is true — where north-facing panels produce more energy.
How Enact helps homeowners
Now that we know the best direction for solar panels in California, we can determine the best path forward. Enact is a California solar company that helps homeowners get custom solar panel systems.
Using Enact’s solar software, our team of energy experts design home solar panel systems created just for your home. Solar is an investment so you should make sure it provides the right amount of energy for your home and needs, maximizing financial savings.
To get started on your solar journey, schedule a free consultation and get a free solar proposal for your home. Based on your address and a copy of your latest utility bill, Enact can get started and find something that best fits your needs.
Enact customers get a choice in their financial options and solar equipment. Once we find the right system for you, our energy experts will connect with a trusted local partner in your area for installation. Throughout the installation process, you will get email updates and have access to Enact’s team. After installation, California homeowners can track energy generation, utility savings, return on investment and other details through the Enact Home platform.
Start your solar journey today and see years of financial savings. Schedule a free consultation and get a free custom solar estimate with an Enact energy expert.