Array orientation

Array orientation is the direction that a solar PV array or module group faces, usually described by a compass direction or azimuth angle. In MCS solar PV performance estimates, orientation is used with array pitch and shading to select the generation data behind an estimated annual output. MCS 032 measures it relative to due south, with south as 0°, south-east or south-west as 45° and east or west as 90°; other tools may use signed azimuth conventions, so the reference direction matters. Orientation is not the same as array layout, tilt, shading, string design or a guarantee of generation.