I'm looking to install some solar panels on my roof, but I've got a bit of a challenge. The south side of my roof gets shaded for half the day, particularly when the sun is at its highest. Would it make more sense to put the panels on the east or west side where the shading from trees won't interfere?
2 Answers
Definitely avoid shade when placing your panels if possible! I suggest taking some measurements of your roof angles and considering using tools like NREL's PVWatts calculator to get a clearer idea on performance for each side. Plus, Google’s Project Sunroof can give you detailed shading information specific to your location, which is really useful! That way, you can decide if installing on both sides might be beneficial.
If you're planning to install a few panels, like four, you might want to consider splitting them up. Putting two on the east and two on the west could give you a balanced output throughout the day. Think about your daily routine too! If you usually wake up and use power in the morning, east would be great for you. But if you're a night owl who uses more energy in the evenings, then the west side might work better.