This is a common question, and a mighty important one too. Orienting your panels for maximum sunlight will ensure you get the most from them. For those of us in the UK, south facing orientation is the answer.

Why does orientation matter?

Solar panels are most effective when they get the most sunshine. Installing solar panels in a shaded spot, or with poor orientation in terms of sunlight, will make them not only less effective, but expensive too. The more sun your panels receive, the more energy you’re getting for your investment. In other words, the greater the amount of energy you produce, the less you’ll need to rely on the national grid and on non-sustainable sources of energy.

Things are going south

To reiterate, for UK solar panel installation, the best orientation is south-facing, as is the case for solar panels all over the Northern Hemisphere. This ensures the panels receive the maximum amount of daily sunlight. Sometimes, of course, this is not possible. For example if your available roof space faces east and west, rather than north and south. However, it’s unlikely that the roof will align completely to the east and west, so whichever side is angled slightly to the south is the best side.

If you are not sure which way your roof faces, use a map, or just speak to your installer, who will know exactly how to orient your panels for maximum energy collection. If you’re looking for solar panel installation Weston or elsewhere, professionals such as https://redbridgeandsons.co.uk/solar-pv-panels/solar-panel-installers-weston will be able to advise you on the best orientation.

Once your solar panels are installed, it’s not easy to get them moved, so it’s important to get it right the first time.