For optimal efficiency in solar energy systems in Arizona, it is recommended that solar panels be oriented to face south. While east and west-facing roofs may receive less direct sunlight compared to south-facing ones, they often still receive sufficient sunlight to generate all the necessary electricity for your home. Homes with panels facing east or west typically achieve about 80% of the efficiency of those with south-facing panels. Even if the alignment is not perfect, adding a few extra panels can often compensate for this and still yield significant savings.