Which way should solar panels face in Canberra?

Panels facing (15° tilt)	Per kW, per year	6.6 kW system	vs north	Summer / winter per kW
North	1,477 kWh	9,745 kWh	100%	444 / 268 kWh
East	1,304 kWh	8,604 kWh	88%	433 / 200 kWh
West	1,313 kWh	8,668 kWh	89%	433 / 204 kWh
South	1,126 kWh	7,434 kWh	76%	420 / 132 kWh

Modelled AC output from a typical weather year for central Canberra (2005–2023 PVGIS data), 14% system losses plus inverter losses, no shading.

Is east or west better in Canberra?

In Canberra it barely matters. East and west facing panels at 15° make almost exactly the same energy over a year, about 88% of a north facing roof. The real difference is timing.

On a clear summer day in Canberra, north facing panels peak around 12:10, east facing panels around 11:10 and west facing panels around 13:20 (local standard time, so add an hour during daylight saving where it applies). If you use most of your power in the afternoon, or you want a battery full before the evening peak, west facing panels line up with that better than the annual numbers suggest.

Are south facing panels worth it in Canberra?

Usually, yes. South facing panels at 15° make about 1,130 kWh per kW a year in Canberra, which is 76% of the same panels facing north. At the Solar Choice price index figure of $0.88 to $0.95 per watt installed, that energy works out to roughly 3.3c to 3.6c per kWh over 25 years. That is around what retailers typically pay for exported solar, and a small fraction of what grid power costs, so extra panels on the south side generally pay their way.

The catch is winter. From December to February south facing panels make about 95% of what north facing ones do, but from June to August that drops to about 49%. They suit homes that use the most power in the warmer months, or have a battery to fill.

Flatter is better on a south facing roof. At 5° a south facing layout in Canberra makes about 86% of a north facing system at 15°. Check that your inverter has room for the extra panels and how much your network lets you export before you commit.

What is the best tilt for solar panels in Canberra?

Facing north, the tilt that makes the most energy over a year in Canberra is about 34°, but it only adds about 5% over a 15° roof. A common 22.5° pitch gets 98% of the best possible. In other words, use the roof pitch you have. Tilt frames on a pitched roof almost never pay for themselves. The Solar Panel Angle Calculator shows the full picture for any direction and tilt.

How much does solar output change through the year in Canberra?

A lot. North facing panels in Canberra make about 444 kWh per kW over summer and about 268 kWh over winter, so winter output is roughly 60% of summer. Steeper panels flatten that out a bit, which is worth trying in the tool if your winter bills are the big ones.

Where do these numbers come from?

They are modelled with the same engine as the Solar Panel Orientation Comparison, using a typical meteorological year from PVGIS, the solar database run by the European Commission Joint Research Centre. Each hour of the year is worked through for every panel direction, then reduced for panel heat, 14% system losses and a 96% efficient inverter. Your own roof will differ with shading, panel brand and exact location, so treat these as a guide rather than a quote.

Other cities

See the same comparison for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Darwin, or read which way solar panels should face in Australia for the national picture. Outside Australia, there are city by city results for the UK and the US.

Common questions