Best Tilt Angle For Solar Panels

If you are going to adjust the tilt of your solar panels twice a year and you want to get the most energy over the whole year then this section is for you.

Best tilt angle for solar panels.

If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend. There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels. Since solar panels are more productive when the sun s rays are perpendicular to their surfaces the certainly best orientation is the one directly true south azimuth angle 180. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.

It s not a good idea to install your panels to face a suboptimal direction even if it means the best tilt possible. This solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15.

The best way to find a high quality solar installation is with energysage. For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle. On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north. The more exact way to count out the best tilt angle is done as follows.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. This article is about the best angle to tilt solar panels for the maximum possible energy yield over a year. Tilt the panels to your latitude.

For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. It s a common belief that panel tilt from horizontal should equal a location s latitude but this is not quite correct. For a latitude up to 25 take your latitude and multiply it by 0 87 for a latitude between 25 to 50 take your latitude multiply by 0 87 after that you will add 3 1 degrees for a latitude over 50 the most ideal angle will end up being approximately 45 degrees.

Both of these angles require latitude degrees. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees.

In boston a solar array at 30 degrees south is still going to produce more electricity than tilted at 42 degrees and facing north. Tilt the panels to your latitude. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15.