6
Section 2 - P
anel P
osi
tioning
Positioning the Panels
South Facing Roofs
Positioning the collectors is important for optimum performance. Collectors should ideally be
mounting at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees on a south facing position that is not
shaded by overhanging trees, buildings, or structures. Good results can be obtained by positioning
the panels facing anywhere in an arc between south west and south east but due south facing pro-
vides optimum performance.
North Facing Roofs
It is not generally recommended that you install the panels on North facing roofs in the Northern
Hemisphere. South of the equator, north will provide the optimum performance and south facing the
worst performance.
East / West Facing Roofs
Good results can be obtained by splitting the collector array on East / West elevations but this should
only be used when it is not possible to have a mainly southernly position for the collectors. If you are
installing an East / West split system you have to double the number of panels that would normally
be required, e.g. a 2 panel system would require 2 panels on the east and 2 panels on the west.
East / West Facing Roofs (Alternate Configuration)
Another option is to oversize the collector area on the side of the roof chosen to mount the collec-
tors. E.g. If 2 panels would have been adequate had the roof orientation been south, then 3 collec-
tors would be required on either the east side or the west side depending on which recieved the most
sunlight.
