--- title: North, South, East, West - Which direction is best for solar production? Why? description: Solar production varies based on where you are at in the country. In the United States (and the northern hemisphere), south facing panels perform best. The further north you go, the more pronounced this is. --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/north-south-east-west-which-direction-is-best-for-solar-production-why#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![project solar logo - for light bg.png\]](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg.png?height=20&name=project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - projectsolar.com projectsolar.com Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [FAQ](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration?hsLang=en) 2. [Solar Basics](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en) 3. [Solar 101: The Fundamentals](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-101-the-fundamentals) # North, South, East, West - Which direction is best for solar production? Why? ## Solar production varies based on where you are at in the country. In the United States (and the northern hemisphere), south facing panels perform best. The further north you go, the more pronounced this is. South-facing panels work most efficiently in the US due to the angle of the sun throughout the day, averaged throughout the year.  Typically, south will maximize your panel performance in your given geography. East and west facing panels will typically see a reduction of 15-20% when compared to south, and north being 30-50% reduction.  Sometimes, strategy comes into play. If you are optimizing for time of use, south west might be a good orientation to optimize for, roof permitting. This is because the sun sets in the west, and most people use the bulk of their power in the late afternoon or evening.  - [Solar Basics](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Solar 101: The Fundamentals](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-101-the-fundamentals) - [Solar Insights: Deeper, More Technical Info](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/solar-basics?hsLang=en#solar-insights-deeper-more-technical-info) - [Custom Solar Projects](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/custom-solar-projects?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Full Service Install](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/custom-solar-projects?hsLang=en#full-service-install) - [Financial Information](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/financial-information?hsLang=en) - [Project Solar Power Bank Products](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/project-solar-power-bank-products?hsLang=en) - [Additional Info](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/migration/additional-info?hsLang=en) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.projectsolar.com/hs-fs/hubfs/project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg-1.png?width=201&height=17&name=project%20solar%20logo%20-%20for%20light%20bg-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://projectsolar.com) At Project Solar, we aim to make solar so incredibly easy and affordable that it becomes the financially prudent energy option for all homeowners. Copyright © 2026, Project Solar