Why solar panels don’t need to face north

Should you face your Solar Panels North?

There’s a misconception that if you don’t have North facing areas on your roof, then you can’t or shouldn’t get Solar.

Setting a Solar Panel North towards the sun’s rays will generate the greatest amount of electricity. However, it’s not always practical to face a panel exactly North. Perhaps your roof doesn’t have enough space in a North facing position to fit the panels, or maybe you’re only home at certain hours of the day.

Because the sun moves in the sky throughout the day, it’s important to position each panel so it produces the most electricity when you need it.

If you are not at home in the middle of the day it would be advantageous to produce less overall electricity by facing the panels west or east. This can allow you to spread the generation between the morning and the afternoon, to match when you use electricity.

Maximise your self-consumption

Increasing the amount of solar energy that you consume yourself, is the key to getting the best savings from your solar system. So we always recommend working with your solar installer to design a layout that suits your needs.

For example, if you work in the mornings every day but are home all afternoon, you will want to install more panels on the western side of your roof. Alternatively, if you’re home quite consistently throughout the day, you could chat to your solar installer to work out a design where some panels face north and the rest face east.

This is an area that our team at Gardel Electrical are very practised in, so if you would like to ask any further questions or get an idea of what might work for your home, get in touch with us today.


Brisbane's Best Commercial & Residential Solar | Gardel Electrical & Solar

Gardel Electrical & Solar offers top-quality solar solutions with proven performance, backed by industry-leading warranties and dedicated after-sales support. After more than 11 years of operation in Queensland, Gardel Electrical & Solar is one of the most established and experienced solar companies.

Our expert team of electrical engineers, project managers, designers, and CEC-accredited electricians have extensive experience in designing and installing residential and commercial solar panels, ensuring maximum efficiency and long-term performance. With our cutting-edge technology and reliable service, you can enjoy significant energy savings while contributing to a greener future. Gardel Electrical & Solar offer an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty and the manufacturer’s 25-year guarantee, offering both value and peace of mind. 

Take the first step towards sustainable living and request a free quote today.

Sam Gardel

Sam founded Gardel Electrical & Solar in 2011, with a vision to create an electrical company that specialised in quality solar design and installation. He is passionate about the provision of quality products, workmanship and results. He aims to support as many Australians as possible to reduce their energy consumption and save on their energy bills.

Sam is a qualified electrician with nearly twenty years’ of experience in the industry.

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