For any location in the Northern Hemisphere, panels must face true South to maximize year-round energy production. This southward orientation, corresponding to an azimuth of 180 degrees, ensures the panels are angled toward the equator where the sun's trajectory peaks during the. It is true that south-facing solar panels are the most productive for generating solar power in the northern hemisphere, but it's not the only option. Latitude-Based Angle Calculation. The installation of a solar photovoltaic system involves many design choices, and the direction the panels face is one of the most fundamental. Maximizing sunlight absorption, 2.