Where is the best location for solar power?
Mia Smith
Published Feb 22, 2026
Where is the best location for solar power?
South
Solar panels are typically installed in a fixed manner on the roof of your house and should be facing South, which receives the most sunlight. Solar panels generate more electricity when they get the most sunlight, which comes from the southern direction.
Where should solar panels be placed in a house?
Typically, solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs with a slope between 15 and 40 degrees, though other roofs may be suitable too. You should also consider the age of your roof and how long until it will need replacement.
Should solar panels face east or west?
One study found that west-facing panels generated nearly 50% more than south-facing counterparts during peak demand hours when normalized for a 5.5 kW system. So, although the overall production is less, west-facing panels are producing energy when it matters the most for savings.
What is the best location for solar energy in terms of cost?
Although south-facing solar modules provide the best results, east and west-facing solar panels also produce a sizable amount of energy. Since objects facing the north have more shade, solar panel placement should never go on the north side of a roof.
What direction should my roof face for solar?
south
The conventional recommendation is that a roof direction should face south for best exposure to the sun. Though south facing roofs will have the most direct sunlight exposure, the takeaway is that your roof does not have to face south for solar to make sense.
Is morning sun or afternoon sun better for solar panels?
South is best for homes with net metering Solar panels facing south produce the most power overall, but they also produce most of it during midday. Midday is when your consumption is typically at its lowest, so there will be lots of surplus power produced.
How much will my electric bill be with solar panels?
In New South Wales, we found that the average electricity bill for solar customers is $372. While less than half (48%) of solar panel owners said they are happy with their feed-in tariff, 92% agreed that installing solar was a good financial decision. The average cost for a solar system in NSW was $5,893.
Do solar panels give you free electricity?
Free solar panels’ are not actually free; you will pay for the electricity that they produce, usually under a 20 to 25 year solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA).
Why solar is a ripoff?
Companies have misled consumers about the true costs of installing solar panels, provided shoddy craftsmanship, and left homeowners with higher utility costs, all while forcing them to sign unconscionable contracts that leave little possibility of recourse. Two companies in particular stand out: Vivint and SolarCity.
How far away can solar panels be from house?
How Far Can You Run Solar Panels? In terms of the distance from a building, the max distance would be under 500 feet. The farther the array is from where the energy use occurs the more expensive the project.