Maximising your solar panel system: location matters.
Why solar panel location matters for efficiency and output.
Thinking of going solar? That’s great news! But before you jump in, there's one crucial thing you need to consider: location. Where you place your solar panels can make a huge difference to how much energy they generate.
Here we're going to break down why solar panel location matters so much, and what affects the efficiency and output of solar panels.We'll look at how where you live, and the direction your panels face can affect their performance. We'll also give you some top tips on how to find the perfect spot for your panels, so you can squeeze every drop of power out of them. If you do opt for solar panels from us then our friendly installers will be on hand to help you find the best place to install them for maximum efficiency.
How solar panels are installed.
See how solar panels and battery storage are installed with our customer and colleague, Brian who shares his home installation journey.
What influences solar panel efficiency and output?
There’s lots to take into account when thinking about how to make your solar panels as efficient and high-performing as possible. Let’s dive into some of the most important.
Panel orientation.
Beyond the most basic issue - how much sunlight your property gets, the orientation of your panels is perhaps the biggest factor to consider. A south-facing installation of panels tilted to around 30-40 degrees is generally seen as the optimum angle for solar panels.
This position maximises exposure to the sun's rays in the UK. If your home’s not south-facing though, don’t worry because for some people east and west-facing roofs can offer a really good option too. We’ll explore other panel orientation options in more detail below.
Shade or other obstructions.
Even if you’ve got your solar panels placed in the ideal spot, keep an eye out for shade from nearby trees, buildings, or other obstructions. These can all affect how well your solar panels end up performing.
Your installer should discuss shading with you, and should position your panels where there is the least shading. But it's often difficult to completely avoid shade falling on solar panels, and your system should be designed to make the best of this, for example by fitting optimisers or splitting the array into different electrical strings connected to your inverter.
Where in the UK you live.
Where you live in the UK can also influence the output of your solar panels. This is because the south of England usually enjoys more sunshine hours compared to the north. Having said this, modern solar panels are designed to perform well even in less than ideal conditions, so where you live shouldn’t be a massive factor in how much energy your panels produce across the year.
You might think that you need scorching hot weather for solar panels to work best. In fact, the UK’s temperate climate can help solar efficiency. Many solar panels are most efficient at cooler temperatures and too much heat can actually reduce the efficiency of panels. This is because the temperature coefficient of semiconductors (such as the silicon in solar panels) is negative, meaning lower output as the temperature increases.
The type of panel.
The type of solar panel you choose can also make a difference. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common types for home installations in recent history. These days most companies only sell monocrystalline panels.
Monocrystalline solar panels: these are made from a single pure silicon crystal. They’re the most efficient and longest lasting type of solar panel. They have historically been the most expensive due to their energy-intensive manufacturing process. However, with recent advances in manufacturing technology and volumes, cost has fallen a lot, and these are now the most common and readily available panels.
Polycrystalline solar panels: these are made using multiple silicon crystals, and while they’re less efficient and have a shorter lifespan than monocrystalline panels, they’re also cheaper.
Thin-film solar panels: these are made from materials like cadmium telluride or amorphous silicon. They can be flexible and lightweight but are less efficient than mono or polycrystalline panels.
Polycrystalline and thin-film technologies have historically been cheaper, but were limited on efficiency and output, so the industry has moved strongly towards monocrystalline technology in the last few years.
Maintenance and cleaning.
The solar panels we sell are self-cleaning, with the UK’s regular rainfall helping to keep panels free from dirt that might affect performance. If you really want to keep your panels really sparkly though, it’s best to call a professional for solar cleaning and maintenance.
All around the compass - how panel orientation affects efficiency and output.
The direction you can point your solar panel setup will have a sizable effect on how much energy you’ll be able to generate. Here’s a quick run through of the various options.
South-facing: This setup is the best orientation for solar panels in the Northern Hemisphere. Solar panels on a south-facing roof receive maximum sunlight exposure throughout the day, ensuring the highest energy output.
Southeast or southwest-facing: These orientations can still capture lots of solar energy, but slightly less than due south.
East or west-facing: While not as efficient as south-facing, solar panels facing east or west can still be good options. East-facing panels produce more electricity in the morning, while west-facing panels generate more in the afternoon and evening. A solar panel system facing east or west tends to get around 15-20% less energy than one facing directly south. However, east or west-facing panel setups are often better matched to the time homes use their energy - at breakfast and tea time.
East-west combination: If your roof has a dual east-west aspect, you can install panels on both sides. This’ll help you soak up the rays from morning to evening for all-day solar energy production.
North-facing: Pointing your panels north will produce a lot less energy than other orientations. This is due to the reduction in sunlight exposure your panels will receive, and likely greater shading. Depending on your situation, a north-facing location may not be a dealbreaker though. One of our installers can advise based on your needs.
Legal and zoning considerations for installing solar panels.
There’s a few final things to think about before rushing to install your shiny new solar panels. If you live in a listed building or conservation area for example.
Permitted development rights.
In most cases, installing solar panels on residential properties in the UK is covered by permitted development rights. This means you won’t need planning permission.
However, your installation must meet certain requirements, including not exceeding your roof’s highest point and not protruding too far from your roof plane. As far as possible your solar panels should blend in with the appearance of your property.
Check with your local planning authority (LPA) for full details. If you live in a listed building, or a conservation area then there are additional processes to follow, which we’ll cover below.
Listed buildings and conservation areas.
Listed buildings.
If you live in a listed building and would like to install solar panels, then you’ll need to apply for Listed Building Consent (LBC) from your Local Planning Authority (LPA). These usually take between six to eight weeks to be granted, depending on the workload of your LPA. As part of this application you’ll need to show a number of things:
That your solar installation is reversible without damaging the building's structure.
That your panels won’t damage your property’s aesthetic qualities.
That your property is structurally sound, and can handle the weight of the solar panel setup.
Remember that an LBC isn’t planning permission. If your listed home is also in a conservation area, read on to see whether you’ll need to apply for planning permission for your solar panels too.
Conservation areas.
Conservation areas are designated by local councils as areas needing protection due to their cultural, architectural, environmental or historical significance. If you live in a conservation area that is covered by an Article 4 Direction then you won’t benefit from permitted development rights. So you’ll need to apply for planning permission for solar panels. In practice, if your home is in a conservation area then it’s likely that you’ll need planning permission, but check with your LPA to be sure.
Grid connection.
DNO application.
Prior to your installation we apply on your behalf for your grid connection with the District Network Operator (DNO).
If your proposed solar inverter exceeds 16 Amps per phase (3.68kW for a single phase electrical supply; 11.04 kW for three-phase), then legally you need to submit a so-called "G99 application" to your local District Network Operator (DNO), with all the electrical details of the installation.
The DNO will then decide whether to allow this generation technology to be connected to their network, or whether it can only be connected with some restrictions on output.
Inverters rated at less than 16 Amps per phase may be connected without having to do a prior application, but the DNO must be notified after installation of the equipment. But don't worry, as we will manage all this process on your behalf as part of our installation process.
Installation and MCS certification.
Once you’ve got your solar panels fitted, our installer will register your solar setup with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). You’ll then get an email certificate which you can use to join our Smart Export Guarantee scheme. E.ON only works with MCS accredited solar panel installers. Plus all of our installer’s work is backed by HIES, the Home Insulation and Energy Systems insurance backed guarantee.
Start your solar journey.
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to setting up your solar panels for success. But fear not, our expert installers can help guide you through the process. So if you’d like to find out more about whether going solar is right for you, get in touch with us for a quote. If you need more information, you can also check out our solar panels page too.
