Why Panel Direction Matters More Than You Think

When installing a solar power system, one of the most critical decisions is the direction your panels should face. This choice can significantly impact your energy production, savings, and overall system efficiency. While many homeowners assume that simply having panels on the roof is enough, the reality is that panel direction plays a crucial role in harnessing the most sunlight and getting the highest return on investment.

In Australia, and in particular across South East Queensland and Northern NSW, we’re fortunate to have plenty of sunshine year-round. However, factors like the angle of the sun, mountain ranges, daily energy consumption patterns, and even shading from surrounding buildings or trees can influence the best panel placement for your home. So, should you face your solar panels north, east, or west? Let's break it down.

Understanding the Sun’s Path in Australia

Before deciding on panel placement, it’s important to understand how the sun moves across the sky. In the southern hemisphere, the sun follows a northern trajectory, meaning north-facing solar panels typically produce the most energy throughout the day. This is because they receive direct sunlight from sunrise to sunset without any significant shading caused by the position of the sun.

However, not all homeowners have access to suitable north-facing roof space. Factors such as roof design, shading from trees or neighbouring buildings, and property orientation can limit this option, making east, west, or even south-facing panels necessary. Let’s explore each orientation and when it makes the most sense.

North-Facing Solar Panels: Maximum Energy Production

In Australia, north-facing solar panels are the most efficient, often generating 10-20% more power than east or west-facing panels. Here’s why they’re the preferred choice:

• Maximised Sun Exposure: North-facing panels receive direct sunlight for the longest duration each day.

• Higher Energy Yield: Since the sun is predominantly in the northern sky, panels facing this direction produce the highest amount of electricity.

• Ideal for General Energy Use: If your household consumes power throughout the day, a north-facing system ensures a steady supply of solar energy.

When Might North Not Be an Option?

While north-facing panels are the best for energy production, not every home has access to suitable north-facing roof space. This may be due to:

• The alignment of the house, where the main roof faces east-west instead of north.

• Obstructions like trees, taller neighbouring buildings, or chimneys that cast shadows on the roof.

• Limited roof space due to architectural design or existing installations like skylights or vents.

In these cases, east, west, or even south-facing panels might be necessary to still make use of solar power effectively.

East-Facing Solar Panels: Best for Early Risers

If your household has higher energy consumption in the morning, east-facing panels could be a better fit. This is because they receive the most direct sunlight from sunrise until midday.

Who benefits from east-facing solar panels?

• Households that use more power in the morning, such as those with early work schedules.

• Businesses or home offices that operate primarily in the morning hours.

• Homes in areas with mountain ranges to the west, where afternoon sunlight is cut short.

West-Facing Solar Panels: Best for Late Afternoon Energy Use

West-facing panels capture the most sunlight in the afternoon and early evening, making them ideal for households that experience peak energy use later in the day.

Why choose west-facing panels?

• If your family is home after work and school, using appliances like air conditioning, televisions, and kitchen appliances in the late afternoon.

• To take advantage of higher electricity tariffs in the afternoon (for homes on time-of-use plans, west-facing panels help reduce expensive peak-hour electricity costs).

• If mountains or tall buildings obstruct morning sunlight, making morning generation inefficient.

Considering Local Landscape: The Impact of Mountain Ranges & Trees on Your Choice of Solar Panel Direction

One often-overlooked factor is the effect of mountain ranges and trees on available daylight. Along the east coast of Australia, natural obstructions like mountains and dense tree cover can impact the amount of sunlight your panels receive.

• If mountains or tall trees are to the west of your property, they can shorten the available sunlight hours in the afternoon. East-facing panels might be a better choice in this case to maximise morning solar energy.

• Conversely, if you have mountains, trees, or neighbouring buildings to the east, your morning sunlight may be limited, making west-facing panels a smarter option.

• If your home is surrounded by dense foliage, strategic panel placement and tree trimming may help maximise solar exposure.

By considering local geography, shading, and obstructions, you can better determine which panel orientation will give you the most usable solar energy.

Sunrise or Sunset in the Gold Coast Hinterland Region, casting shadows across the property.

South-Facing Solar Panels: When It’s the Only Option

In some cases, south-facing panels may be the only option due to the layout of the property or roof. While they generally produce the least amount of energy compared to north, east, or west-facing panels, production losses can be minimised with the right approach.

How to Improve Efficiency for South-Facing Panels:

• Use Tilt Frames: Tilting south-facing panels towards the north can significantly improve their performance. Tilt frames are cost-effective at around $20-$30 per panel and help the panels sit at an optimal angle for sunlight exposure.

• Minimise Shading: If trees or structures cast shadows on south-facing panels, trimming or strategic placement can help reduce production losses.

• Pair with a Battery System: A solar battery can store excess energy generated during peak hours, helping homeowners make better use of their solar power.

While south-facing panels are not ideal, these strategies ensure they still contribute to overall energy savings.

Flat Roofs: Maximising Efficiency with Tilt Frames

For homes with flat roofs, panel orientation is more flexible, but tilt frames are essential to achieve maximum energy efficiency.

Why Use Tilt Frames on Flat Roofs?

• Improved Sunlight Exposure: Flat panels receive less direct sunlight, but tilting them northward at the optimal angle significantly increases production.

• Self-Cleaning Advantage: A slight tilt allows rainwater to naturally wash away dust and debris, reducing maintenance needs.

• Minimal Extra Cost: Tilt frames cost around $20-$30 per panel, making them a cost-effective way to boost energy output.

By installing tilt frames, homeowners with flat roofs can ensure their solar system performs as efficiently as a standard north-facing system.

A large commercial solar panel installation on a flat roof space utilising tilts to maximise the system's efficiency.

Hybrid Panel Layouts: Combining North, East, and West for Optimal Efficiency

For many households, a mix of panel orientations may be the best solution. Instead of committing to just north, east, or west, splitting your solar panels across multiple directions can help balance energy production throughout the day.

Benefits of a Multi-Orientation System:

• Even Energy Distribution: Reduces overproduction in one part of the day and ensures more consistent energy generation.

• Better Self-Consumption: If you use energy throughout the day, having panels on multiple sides can align better with your consumption.

• Increased Savings on Time-of-Use Tariffs: If your electricity provider has peak pricing in the morning and afternoon, a split array can help you avoid expensive grid power.

Key Considerations for Hybrid Layouts:

• Inverter Limitations: Many standard inverters only allow for two strings, meaning panels can only be installed in two different directions.

• Solutions for Three Directions: If you need panels in three different orientations, your options include:

• Using a Sungrow inverter, which supports up to three MPPT strings (Maximum Power Point Trackers), allowing for more flexibility in panel placement.

• Opting for a SolarEdge system, which uses power optimisers and microinverters, enabling panels to be placed in any direction and any layout without significant energy losses.

Understanding these technical constraints ensures that you choose the right system for your energy needs and roof layout.

A hybrid solar panel layout on a residential property with panels facing multiple directions.

The Best Solar Panel Direction For Your Home

While north-facing solar panels provide the highest overall energy yield, east and west-facing panels can offer strategic benefits depending on your energy usage patterns and local landscape. When north-facing panels aren’t an option, solutions like tilt frames or a hybrid layout can still ensure strong solar performance.

Want to maximise your solar savings? Our expert team here at FirstSunSolar can assess your property and energy needs to design a custom solar system that gives you the best results. Book a free consultation today and take the next step toward smarter solar savings!