When you make a purchase of the domestic solar system, your story is not finished on its purchase; rather solar panel placement is the only way of getting maximum benefit out of solar energy. The benefits generated by solar panel largely depend upon its proper placement. The best place for solar panels are the roof top however, they can also be placed on the poles or on ground. What actually matters is the angle at which it faces the sun. They must face the south, with angles equivalent to the site’s latitude.

The efficiency of the solar panel placement gets affected if the specified angle is changed to a larger extent. On the other hand, small change of few degrees likes +-10 at south or similar towards optimal degree doesn’t affect the placement issue that much. Any obstruction caused in between the working of solar panel greatly disturbs it. The presence of any shade, branches or bushes affects the functioning of solar panel placement. Therefore if it is desired to put on the floor or on ground, it must be saved from all types of tree shade especially from Southern side. The height of the solar cells must be reachable for cleaning purposes. If panels are at an angle of 45 degrees, one can easily clean it, but if they lie flat, then rain water may accumulate and its dusting may become difficult.

For better placement of the solar panels, roof must be steep and sloppy tilting towards South. Many houses normally have such type of roof but if your home doesn’t have one, don’t get worried as it’s not a pre requisite; rather the system will work normal only its efficiency will be affected. During winter season, the objective is to get as much sunlight as possible. Thus for a latitude of 25 degrees, the angle of solar panel must be 51.5 degree and this cause an optimum level of 85% electricity. Similarly for 50 degree latitude, angle of solar panel has to be 74 degrees and the suitable optimum level is 93%. The above mentioned angles are steeper than normal because of less sunlight during winter season. In order to get benefit from that meager amount of electricity, solar panel placement must be pointed directly towards the sun.

Apart from this for inhabitants in Northern Hemisphere, solar panel placement must be towards south to get optimum energy, whereas for Southern Hemisphere, it must be facing north. When considering non-controllable factors, in which sun changes its direction every year, the placement becomes further complicated. In this case Solar Pathfinder is used. It tells about the presence of shade at any area during different times of the day.