East-West Solar Panels: Do They Generate More Power Than South-Facing Arrays?
- ifeoluwa Daniel
- 43 minutes ago
- 5 min read
When most homeowners think about solar panels, they automatically assume south-facing roofs are the gold standard. And for good reason – conventional wisdom has always pointed toward south as the optimal direction for maximum solar generation. But what if we told you that homeowners with east-west facing properties might actually be sitting on a solar goldmine?
Conducting analysis recently reveals that east-west solar installations can produce up to 63% more electricity than traditional south-facing arrays. Here's everything you need to know about how we arrived at that.
Understanding Solar Panel Orientation Basics
In the northern hemisphere, the sun travels across the sky from east to west, reaching its peak directly south at midday. This solar path has traditionally made south-facing roofs the preferred choice for solar installations, as they receive the most direct sunlight throughout the day.
However, with properties facing all sorts of directions across the country, many homeowners have been led to believe their roofs aren't suitable for solar if they don't face south. This misconception has prevented countless families from accessing the benefits of solar energy.
The Generation Profile Problem with South-Facing Solar
The Classic Bell Curve Challenge
South-facing solar arrays produce what's known as a symmetrical bell curve generation pattern. Like a mountain, power generation starts low in the early morning, climbs to peak around midday when sunlight is strongest, then slopes down by early evening.
While this seems ideal in theory, it creates three significant problems when overlaid with typical household energy usage:
1. Morning Energy Gap You're using power for breakfast and getting ready for work, but solar generation is still ramping up – forcing you to pull from the grid.
2. Evening Energy Gap During your evening routine when you're cooking dinner or running appliances, solar output has already dropped off significantly.
3. Midday Energy Surplus Right around midday when solar is producing maximum power, most people are at work using minimal energy at home.
What Happens to Excess Midday Power?
Depending on your state's policies, you have several options for excess generation:
Net Metering: In states with good net metering, your utility runs your meter backward, giving you full retail credit
Battery Storage: Store excess power for later use (though batteries may fill by mid-morning in sunny states)
Load Shifting: Time heavy appliances like washing machines to run during peak solar hours
Grid Export: Sell excess power back to utilities (though compensation rates are declining)
East-West Solar: The Game-Changing Alternative
How East-West Generation Profiles Work
East-west solar installations create a fundamentally different generation pattern:
East-facing arrays: Generation skewed toward morning, capturing sunlight soon after sunrise but tapering off by late morning
West-facing arrays: Mirror image of east, starting low but ramping up through afternoon and extending into early evening
The Combined Effect
When you combine east and west arrays on the same property, you achieve:
Nearly double the total generation of a single south-facing array
Extended generation spread across the entire day
Better alignment with actual household energy usage patterns
Reduced need for battery storage
Longer window to run appliances without drawing from the grid
Phoenix Case Study
Using PVWatts (the U.S. standard solar calculator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory), we analyzed annual generation for identical 5.22kW systems in Phoenix, Arizona:
System Specifications
Panels: 12 x 435W Q-Cell panels per roof section
Total System Size: 5.22kW peak per orientation
Tilt: 20 degrees (optimal for Phoenix latitude)
Location: Phoenix, Arizona (excellent solar conditions)
Annual Generation Results
Orientation | Annual Generation | Comparison to South |
South (180°) | 9,677 kWh | Baseline |
East (90°) | 7,591 kWh | -27% vs South |
West (270°) | 8,195 kWh | -18% vs South |
North (0°) | 5,232 kWh | -46% vs South |
The Winning Combination
East + West Combined: 15,786 kWh annually
Performance vs South: +63% more generation
South + North Combined: 14,909 kWh annually
East-West vs South-North: +6% advantage for east-west
Note: West arrays typically outperform east arrays due to clearer afternoon skies in many regions.
The Strategic Value of West-Facing Solar
Time-of-Use Rate Advantages
Beyond total generation, west-facing arrays offer compelling financial benefits in today's evolving electricity markets:
Peak Rate Timing In states like California, Arizona, and Texas, peak electricity rates from 4-9 PM can reach 40-50 cents per kWh, while midday rates may only be 15-20 cents. West-facing arrays generate power precisely during these premium pricing windows.
Future-Proofing Your Investment Even if you have traditional net metering today, many utilities are moving toward:
Time-of-use rate structures
Reduced compensation for solar exports
Net billing instead of net metering
A west-facing array generates power when it's most valuable, not just when there's the most sun.
Changing Solar Policy Landscape
The U.S. solar market includes a patchwork of policies varying dramatically by state:
Net Metering States: Utilities run your meter backward for full retail credit
Net Billing States: Lower export values for excess generation
Transitioning Markets: Many states considering policy changes
East-west installations help homeowners adapt to these changing policies by better matching generation with consumption.
Regional Considerations
Where East-West Works Best
The east-west advantage varies by location:
High-Performance Regions:
Southern states (Arizona, Texas, Florida): Higher overall generation numbers
Areas with significant time-of-use rate structures
Regions with clearer afternoon skies favoring west-facing generation
Moderate-Performance Regions:
Northern states: Smaller differences between orientations due to lower sun angles
Areas with more seasonal variation
Regions with flat-rate electricity pricing
Before You Decide
Check with your local utility regarding:
Rate structure (flat vs. time-of-use)
Net metering availability and terms
Solar policy changes on the horizon
Peak demand windows and pricing
Financial Benefits Beyond Generation
Federal Tax Credit Advantage
The federal 30% solar tax credit applies to your entire system cost regardless of orientation. This makes maximizing your roof space with east-west arrays even more financially attractive, as you receive the same percentage credit on a larger, higher-producing system.
Since solar panels are relatively inexpensive compared to installation costs, you'll likely want to maximize panels on any roof you use. East-west properties often allow for more total panels than single-orientation roofs, amplifying the generation advantage.
Choosing the Right Solar Installer
When planning your east-west solar installation:
Look For:
Multiple competitive quotes
Experience with multi-orientation designs
Research Resources:
State-maintained approved installer databases
Solar incentive program directories
Local utility recommended installer lists
East-West Solar Advantages
The data clearly shows that east-west solar installations offer significant advantages over traditional south-facing arrays:
✅ 63% more annual generation when maximizing both roof faces
✅ Better alignment with household energy usage patterns
✅ Strategic timing for high-value electricity periods
✅ Future-proof design for changing utility policies
✅ Reduced battery storage requirements
✅ Same federal tax credit benefits
Is East-West Solar Right for You?
East-west solar installations represent a paradigm shift in residential solar design. Rather than chasing maximum theoretical generation, this approach optimizes for real-world usage patterns and evolving electricity markets.
If your home has east and west-facing roof sections, you're not settling for second-best – you might actually have the optimal setup for solar generation in today's energy landscape.
Ready to explore your solar options? Use the PVWatts calculator to model your specific location and roof orientations, or consult a certified installer to design a system that maximizes your property's solar potential.
Ready to Harness Your East-West Solar Advantage?
Don't let outdated assumptions about roof orientation cost you thousands in potential solar savings. If you have east and west-facing roof sections, you could be sitting on a 63% generation advantage that most solar companies won't tell you about.
Take the next step toward energy independence:
🔹 Get Your Free Solar Assessment - Find out exactly how much your east-west roof setup could generate and save
🔹 Compare Multiple Quotes - Ensure you're getting competitive pricing from certified installers who understand multi-orientation designs
🔹 Model Your Specific Roof - Use professional solar modeling tools to see your exact generation potential.