Search FAQs

Looking for Something? Search Here.

Can solar PV be put on any roof in any direction?

New Zealand, being in the Southern Hemisphere sees the sun rises from the East and sets in the West. In the middle of the day, the time of best solar irradiation, the sun sits North. There is also a variance throughout the seasons in solar radiance because of the solar solstice. The solstice is an astronomical event that occurs twice each year as the Sun reaches its highest or lowest point relative to the equator.

With the exception of southern facing or shaded roofs, most roofs are suitable to install solar. In New Zealand, particularly with Net Metering systems, it is important that the solar panels are located taking your own electricity consumption pattern into account. For example if you use most electricity in the morning and during the earlier part of the day then install the panels on the eastern roof. If you after the most solar electricity output from mid morning to early afternoon install the panels on the northern roof. If your children come home at 3pm and turn on all appliances, or you want to offset as much as possible your air conditioner use late in the afternoon then you want as much solar electricity as possible in the afternoon. Therefore install the system on your western roof. Or if you get a 4 or 5 KW system you can put one solar module string on the northern roof and one string of panels on the eastern or western roof to get the whole day supplied with solar power.

While an eastern or western roof installation will produce between 5% and 15% less electricity than solar panels facing true north, the time you require the electricity and the aesthetic look of the solar system on your house are also important considerations when deciding on where to position the panels.

Ask your LG Solar installer for advice as to the best possible solar panel location.

Solar Questions?

Over 300 solar questions
answered in our FAQ section.

Check out our Solar Library

New LG Solar Guide

Written by experts with over
20 years of solar experience.

Receive your FREE copy today.

Download the LG Solar Guide