Nowadays, there is no need to explain that solar panels are a sustainable investment. After all, you not only save on energy costs, but you also help the climate a bit. A win-win situation, in other words. Almost every roof is suitable for solar panels, but what it yields varies a lot. In this blog we look at what the yield is from solar panels facing west. So read on quickly!
Why are solar panels on west-facing roofs interesting?
It is always said that placing solar panels facing south is the best choice and that solar panels in the shade yield little. Yet the answer is not so black and white. In fact, placing solar panels on the west-facing roof is quite interesting. For example, south-facing solar panels pull in their maximum output around the middle of the day. However, the demand for electricity is often lower at this time than, say, in the evening. With west-facing solar panels, on the other hand, most production comes in at the end of the day. And let that be precisely the time when people come home and start using the electricity.
The yield of west-facing solar panels
What the yield of west-facing solar panels is depends on several factors. Among them is the angle of inclination. For west-facing solar panels, it is best to choose an angle of inclination between 10 and 30 degrees. Roofs are often more sloped than this, but the slope can usually be corrected during and through installation. In addition, the efficiency of west-facing solar panels can be improved by adding optimizers. These ensure that the solar panels will independently get the maximum power from each solar panel. This is very useful if, for example, a few solar panels are already in the shade, but the rest are still catching sun. Also, the yield of solar panels on the west depends on the type of solar panels you choose. Therefore, always get good advice before choosing where to have the solar panels installed.
Solar panels facing west compared to other directions
Let’s start by saying that the payback for solar panels, even on the west, is always good. In fact, solar panels last longer than the length of time it takes to pay back. However, how long it takes you to recoup your solar panels does vary by direction. The north, for example, yields the least because the sun shines on it the least amount of time. As indicated, the south yields the most production because the sun shines on it during the hottest part of the day. However, should you choose to install solar panels on both sides of the roof, the west-east combination is better than south-north. This is because the yield of solar panels on the west and east is fine. This is because sun shines on them both in the morning (east) and in the evening (west). Together, that yields more than the high production of south and the minimal production of north.
The efficiency of west-facing solar panels
The efficiency of west-facing solar panels is better than you probably think. For example, the efficiency loss is often less than expected. This is due to the reasons mentioned above such as the number of hours of sunshine, the time of day when the energy is generated and the angle of inclination. Added to that is the fact that solar panels have continued to decrease in cost over the years and a solar panel yields more. And since Jan. 1, 2023, you no longer even pay VAT on solar panels.
Advice on solar panels on west facing professionals
Solar panels facing west can be a good investment. To ensure you get the most out of your investment, it is always best to contact a professional installation company such as The Sustainable Boys. With years of experience installing solar panels, we can tell you everything you need to know about the best solutions for your home. In addition, we can give you all the information you need on how to maintain the solar panels, for example.
So the yield of west-facing solar panels is definitely a good idea. Want to invest even more in sustainability? Then how about installing an air conditioner? Above all, get advice on the best air conditioner with which to heat.
