Panel orientation

When designing a photovoltaic system, the most important thing is the correct placement of the panels so that production is in accordance with what the installation requires and what the building on which the system is installed allows.

South orientation

The most commonly used solution when we want to maximize the amount of energy produced per day. It is therefore suitable where battery storage is available or we can otherwise ensure energy consumption during the lunchtime peak. The disadvantage of flat roofs is more windward edges, so it is necessary to install a larger load on the structures to make them wind resistant, which can sometimes be a static problem. Summary:

Advantages:

• Maximum daily energy

Disadvantages:

• Need for large spacing due to shielding, lower installed power
• High roof load due to windward edges

East-west orientation

Especially advantageous for on-grid solutions. It ensures production starts from early morning and continues until late afternoon, i.e. overall longer production duration but at the cost of a smaller maximum output around lunchtime compared to the southern orientation. At the same time, it has a minimum of windward edges, therefore half the load compared to the southern orientation is sufficient. And also, the panels can be installed more densely since they do not shade each other and it is possible to install more power. Summary:

Advantages:

• earlier start of production and longer duration
• more installed capacity on the same area
• less roof load

Disadvantages:

• lower total daily energy production

Pitched roofs

In the case of single-family houses with a sloping roof, we try to place the panels on one roof that is oriented as much as possible to the south. If the roof does not face exactly south, it is not a big problem, it will only cause a shift in the power peak in time.

If the house faces south, we recommend an east-west combination.

During the inspection, we will take pictures of the roof from above and, using special software, we will arrange the panels so that the following conditions are met:

• maximum power
  
• aesthetics