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While you technically can install solar facing any direction, you will want to take advantage of the sun’s strongest rays for maximum production.
In the United States, the general rule is that your solar panels should be south-facing, but it might make sense to have them installed on the West facing side of your home as this means they will generate energy later in the afternoon. If South or West options are not available, installing on the East side is not unheard of. In rare instances, solar is even installed on the North side.
Other things to consider are:
- Does your HOA or municipality have a say on which side of your house the array can be installed? It’s a good idea to research this first.
- You’ll want to take shade into consideration. Are there trees nearby? What about tall buildings? Is there a chimney in the way?
- If you are hoping to receive an incentive from a utility provider, they sometimes have rules with regards to which direction your array can be installed, so this should be taken into consideration as well.
See Also:
What size solar array should I get?
How much roof space will I need for a solar array?
Will my homeowner’s association allow me to install solar?