Which way should solar panels face in Hobart?

Panels facing (15° tilt)	Per kW, per year	6.6 kW system	vs north	Summer / winter per kW
North	1,211 kWh	7,992 kWh	100%	449 / 160 kWh
East	1,025 kWh	6,763 kWh	85%	414 / 108 kWh
West	1,111 kWh	7,332 kWh	92%	439 / 129 kWh
South	916 kWh	6,044 kWh	76%	403 / 75 kWh

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

Is east or west better in Hobart?

West, clearly. In Hobart west facing panels make about 92% of a north facing roof and east facing panels about 85%. In Hobart's typical weather year the afternoons are sunnier than the mornings, so the west side comes out ahead.

On a clear summer day in Hobart, north facing panels peak around 12:20, east facing panels around 11:10 and west facing panels around 13:30 (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 Hobart?

Usually, yes. South facing panels at 15° make about 920 kWh per kW a year in Hobart, 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 4.1c to 4.4c 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 90% of what north facing ones do, but from June to August that drops to about 47%. 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 Hobart makes about 85% 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 Hobart?

Facing north, the tilt that makes the most energy over a year in Hobart is about 36°, but it only adds about 6% 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 Hobart?

A lot. North facing panels in Hobart make about 449 kWh per kW over summer and about 160 kWh over winter, so winter output is roughly 36% 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, Canberra 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