Best Tilt Angle For Solar Panels

There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.

Best tilt angle for solar panels.

For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. 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 plus 15.

On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. Tilt the panels to your latitude.

The more exact way to count out the best tilt angle is done as follows. 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. The best way to find a high quality solar installation is with energysage.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees. It s a common belief that panel tilt from horizontal should equal a location s latitude but this is not quite correct. This solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system.

The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. 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. In 7 of australia s 8 capitals the best angle is at least 3 degrees less than the latitude. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun.

If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend. It s not a good idea to install your panels to face a suboptimal direction even if it means the best tilt possible. Tilt the panels to your latitude. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. Both of these angles require latitude degrees.