Solar powered systems are an excellent source of energy and have provided the Australian population with an excellent option to switch from the traditional source of power that is heavily dependent on non-renewable resources like fossil fuel. Solar installations are gaining a lot of popularity by homeowners and businesses alike due to the benefits this source of power provides in terms of finance and in helping the environment. Some of the most common system sizes that a large population in Australia are interested in installing are either a 6.6kW, 10kw or a 13.2kw system.

There are some important things to keep in mind while making the plunge and switching to this “green” power source. Making sure that your home is suitable for solar production and has the appropriate conditions to aid the solar PV panels to work most efficiently is one of the crucial factors to consider when making the decision to get a solar powered system installed. The size and the geographical direction your roof faces plays a very important role in determining whether or not it is worth getting solar for your property or not. Some other factors that you need to consider when getting a solar power system installed have been discussed in the following blog –

• The angle that solar panels are installed at plays a crucial role in determining the solar production of your rooftop PV System.
• The orientation and inclination of the solar panels is one of the most important factors to consider when installing a rooftop solar power system because your solar panels will only be able to produce power when the sun is directly perpendicular to them.
• During the winter in the northern hemisphere, for example, the sun is low in relation to the horizon. In this case, for the solar panels to get their best performance, a steep angle of 60° is best. During the spring the best angle is 45°, and during the summer when the sun is high in the sky, it’s best to have a low tilt at 20°.
• Similarly, if the roof is flat for the location where you want to install a solar power system, or has a pitch that is less than 10 degrees, tilt frames are recommended by skilled solar installers to ensure that you get the maximum production out of your solar power system.
• The perfect roof to install solar panels on in Australia to maximise the solar energy generated over a year is a large roof, facing north and inclined at an angle close to the location’s latitude.

As a rule of thumb, as long as there is no shade from surrounding trees or homes/buildings next to your property, the solar panels that you install on your roof will function optimally. As long as there is enough sunlight with no obstruction like shade from trees, etc., the solar panels will be able to work most efficiently. However, if there are factors affecting the production of the solar panels due to shading, etc. there are ways to help ensure that you are still able to maximise production in spite of all the setbacks that shading causes.

Get in touch with our solar experts at Sunmate to help you find the right system for your home.