Rather sticking to the rule of thumb is advisable. For example, Hawaii is in the northern hemisphere, so the optimal direction is south. Also, the impact of the azimuth angle of solar panels on power production decreases as we move toward the equator. It is because the tilt angle of panels becomes very small near the equator.
There are two parameters in deciding the direction of solar panels: direction and tilt angle. The azimuth angle decides the direction of solar panels, whereas the elevation angle determines the tilt angle. Both parameters have no direct relation; they are rather independent of each other.
The azimuth angle is critical when determining the best direction for your solar panels. It represents the compass direction your panels should face to receive maximum sunlight throughout the day. For locations in the northern hemisphere, the azimuth angle is typically south. Conversely, for locations in the southern hemisphere, it is north.
Your solar panels will ideally face true south, at an angle of 35-40 degrees. All is not lost if you don’t have a south-facing roof, however. In this article, we’ll explain how to ensure that your solar panels are positioned to work to their best potential, whatever angle, direction or type of roof you have, or even if you have no roof at all.
But here in the UK, which gets less than half the annual sunshine of South Africa (1,387 hours versus SA’s 3,103), you need to put in a little more planning, and position your solar panels to capture maximum sunlight. The best direction for solar panels is the same wherever you are in the UK: facing south, and pitched at 40 degrees.
With panels facing both directions, your solar system can capture sunlight at different times of the day. East-facing panels will catch the early morning sun, providing a boost of energy as the day begins. This can be particularly beneficial for households that consume more electricity in the morning hours.