Here are a few factors that need to be considered when choosing the placement of solar panels, which will help to increase the sun exposure as much as possible: Shade: While it is nice to have shade trees in the yard, if these shadows are cast on the solar panels, then the shade might decrease the available sun exposure.
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.
But if you live in the Southern Hemisphere then the best orientation is north-facing. Let’s look at the different solar orientations in the UK. A south-facing roof is considered the best orientation for solar panels in the UK due to the maximum exposure to sunlight throughout the day.
Rail and Panel Installation The cheapest and most practical way to install solar panels is with a combination of rails and brackets. A secure hook is fastened to the rafters underneath your roof tiles and the rails are attached to these exposed hooks across the length of the solar array.
We use a safe and strong installation method that uses friction to hold the rail and the edge of the solar panel securely in place. This system has been tested for heavy rain, hail and even hurricanes, so you know it’s reliable. The panels are then laid on top of the rails, ready to be connected.
The best direction is to have your panels facing south, followed by west or east. You can position/optimise your panels on a flat roof using a mounting system. Bear in mind that the angle and direction changes depending on your location in the world. You can start designing your solar system here with our free tool.