Solar panels capture solar energy directly from the sun, the surrounding skies, and from sunlight that reflects off nearby surfaces. To make the most of these panels, they need to be positioned ideally to maximise sunlight exposure. Let’s explore the factors that can influence the optimal installation of solar panels on your roof.
Positioning of Your Roof Your roof’s orientation greatly dictates the efficiency of your solar panels.
Ideal Placement for Solar Panels While a south-facing roof seems the obvious choice for maximum yearly electricity production, it’s not always the most efficient in practical terms.
If you generate power during times when no one’s home, without a battery storage system, you’ll merely contribute to the grid. While there’s a payback, it doesn’t compare to usage costs. Consuming the energy you produce is key to maximizing your return on solar panel installation.
Lots of appliances like washing machines, tumble dryers or dishwashers can be timed to start at a particular time. If you know it is going to be sunny in the afternoon but you are going to be at work why not schedule these appliances to run in the middle of the afternoon and so use the power your solar panels are generating.
Panels facing east are more productive during mornings, while those facing west peak in the evenings. For homes bustling during mornings and evenings, a combination of east and west-facing systems can be more efficient. For instance, dairy farms, busy during milking times, would benefit from such an orientation.
Battery systems can store excess energy for later use. While advantageous, the initial investment in both solar panels and batteries can be hefty. Despite grants aiding solar panel costs, battery grants have been discontinued by the funding bodies. The money they say is going to be use to extend the national network of Electric charging stations available for Electric Car.. Given that there’s some payment for power fed back into the grid, you might forego battery installation. This payment is called a Feed In Tarriff .
A remote survey of your roof by Solar Share will all them to tailor their advice based on your roof’s characteristics and your energy consumption patterns.
Roof Angle Matters Your roof’s slant can impact solar panel performance. A common guideline suggests matching the panel’s tilt with your area’s latitude. Ireland, at 53 degrees latitude, sees best results with panels tilted between 30 and 40 degrees, which is typically the angle of most Irish roofs.
Avoiding Shade All your panels work in tandem. Thus, shading on one can compromise the efficiency of the entire set. Obstacles like chimneys, antennas, other parts of the roof, or even nearby trees can cast shadows. While removing these obstructions might be impractical, solutions like Micro-Inverters and Optimisers can counteract shading effects, proving a wise long-term investment.
Free Solar Assessment Considering solar panels? Lots of solar panel installers provide complimentary solar assessment to not only gauge the suitability of your roof but also estimate potential power generation and associated costs. Supply your zip code and their experts, with the help of advanced tools, can remotely assess and suggest an ideal solar installation for your specific needs.