Best Roof Pitches For Solar: Pitch and Direction
Did you know that the direction and the angle of your solar panel can affect the amount of energy that they produce? It is easy for you, as a solar panel owner, to understand how and why the amount of direct sunlight and temperature affect how efficient your solar panels are. There are the best roof pitches for solar panels, and there are roofs that just do not get the right efficiency. The pitch on your roof would play a large part in determining the ant of your solar panels if your solar panels are going to be mounted on your roof. Here are the best roof pitches for sale: Pitch and Direction.
Solar Panel Pitch
Usually, solar contractors would recommend using the latitude of your homes location as the degree of tilt and there are several factors in your control when it comes to finding the ideal pitch for your solar panels.
When you are in Los Angeles, California, you would usually tile your solar panels at a 34-degree angle because they are 34 degrees. But if you live in Orlando, Florida, your solar panels would be at a smaller angle than if you would live on the west coast because your latitude is 28. Your solar contractor would factor the pitch of your roof into the equation because most roofs are not flat.
How Solar Panel Pitch Throughout The Year
The suns path changes throughout the year which means that you would get the most sunlight during the summer because the days are longer and in turn, you would be able to produce the most energy during the summertime. The suns rays are less direct during the winter because the path has changed.
The solar panels would be significantly more efficient if you are able to adjust the tile of your solar panels, even if you adjust it manually, and this is very important because it may or may not affect the pitch of your solar panels. You could consider increasing the tilt of your solar panels by 15 degrees during the winter and degrade the original tilt by 15 degrees during the summer months.
The only time you would have to worry is if you are unable to adjust your panels anymore because between the maximum and minimum angles the sun travels in the sky throughout the year.
Fixed or Tracking Solar Panels
The fixed or tracking panels are the two different types of solar panel mounting options that are given to you when you are about to install the solar panels on your roof.
The fixed panels are stationary and they could remain at the same pitch throughout the day, and maybe even the year. Tracking panels, on the other hand, actually live up to its name. The panels would teach the sun as it moves through the sky. This may not be an option for your home depending on the pitch of your roof.
At the end of the day, you are going to need to work with your contractor to ding the optimal pitch of your solar panels to take advantage of your solar system.
The Importance of Panel Direction
What truly matters the most is the direction your home faces, even though the pitch and the angle are important to your solar panels efficiency. If you point your solar panels in the direction, then you would get the most direct sunlight which is imperative to producing the most energy for your residential home, or commercial building.
If you live in the northern hemisphere, then your panels should face the true south, but if you live in the southern hemisphere, then your solar panels should face the true north. If you live in the southern hemisphere and your roof has too much shade because of all of the surrounding trees and buildings, you still have options. The sun would have a good amount of energy for your solar panels to use when the eastern sun is in the morning and afternoon for the western sun.
You have to always notice all of the significant decreases in the amount of energy that you could need from the power grid of your city, which in turn would lower your electricity bill each month.