Let's talk about the inclination and orientation of photovoltaic panels
If you are considering installing photovoltaics, one of the key factors affecting the efficiency of your solar power plant is the correct orientation and tilt of the panels. While the quality of the panels themselves is important, incorrect orientation can significantly reduce their performance.
Why are tilt and orientation so important?
Installing photovoltaic panels is not just about choosing them and placing them on the roof. If you want to get the most out of your solar power plant, you need to think about two key things: the tilt and orientation of the panels. These determine the overall performance of the system throughout the year.
Ideal panel tilt
In Slovakia, the most effective tilt angle for rooftop photovoltaic panels is considered to be 30-35°. This allows the panels to capture the optimal amount of sunlight throughout the year - especially in transitional periods such as spring and autumn, when the days are shorter and the sun is lower above the horizon.
If the tilt is too small (e.g. a flat roof), the panels will capture less light in the winter. Conversely, if the tilt is too steep, the performance decreases in the summer months, although not significantly. Therefore, it is important to find a compromise - ideally with the help of experts who can adapt the installation to the conditions of your roof.
Correct orientation
The panels should ideally be oriented south. In this position, they will capture the most direct sunlight during the day. However, if this is not possible (for example, due to the shape of the roof), an alternative may be an orientation to the southeast or southwest - here the losses are only at the level of 5 - 10%.
Orientation to the east or west reduces daily production, but can be advantageous when you need to balance production during the day - for example, if you want to produce more electricity in the morning or early evening. However, a northern orientation is not recommended.
Shading - a silent killer of performance
Trees, chimneys, neighboring buildings or satellite dishes - all of these objects can cause shading, which reduces the efficiency of the system. Even short-term shading of one panel can reduce the performance of the entire installation. Therefore, a shading analysis and selection of the correct location are absolutely necessary before the installation itself.
Experts can use professional tools to determine exactly which locations are suitable for panels and which ones need to be omitted or technically treated. Power optimizers or microinverters can eliminate the effect of a weak link in the chain and ensure that each panel works independently. However, in some cases, it is more advantageous to avoid a problematic location altogether - even at the cost of less installed capacity.