Why is it worth preferring an east-west orientation of the panels?
If you have a vacant flat roof and are thinking about photovoltaics, you are probably considering which orientation to choose for your panels. If your goal is to maximize returns from your solar energy investment, then it is definitely worth installing photovoltaic panels with an EAST/WEST orientation.
Why?
Overview of the main advantages that this variant of panel orientation brings:
– Better use of the roof area – panels can be placed closer together, which allows the installation of a larger number of panels on the same roof area
– More even distribution of electricity production. Panels oriented to the east produce more in the morning, while those oriented to the west produce more in the afternoon and evening. This can be beautifully combined with the spot energy market
- Savings on investment. Thanks to a more even distribution of energy production, such a large capacity for energy storage (e.g. batteries) or expensive systems for controlling flows to the grid is not needed
– Optimization of own consumption: as a rule, energy in households is used most in the morning and evening, and this is precisely what corresponds to the orientation to the east and west
– Less risk of the panels shading each other or being shaded by other objects
– Greater resistance to weather conditions. The slope of panels with an East/West orientation is usually less than with a South orientation, making the panels less susceptible to wind damage, increasing their stability.