Best Tilt Angle For Solar Panels

This solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system.

Best tilt angle for solar panels.

To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. In boston a solar array at 30 degrees south is still going to produce more electricity than tilted at 42 degrees and facing north. There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels. Tilt the panels to your latitude plus 15.

Tilt the panels to your latitude. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun. Tilt the panels to your latitude. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15.

On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north. This article is about the best angle to tilt solar panels for the maximum possible energy yield over a year. 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. It s not a good idea to install your panels to face a suboptimal direction even if it means the best tilt possible.

The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. In 7 of australia s 8 capitals the best angle is at least 3 degrees less than the latitude. The more exact way to count out the best tilt angle is done as follows.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15. It s a common belief that panel tilt from horizontal should equal a location s latitude but this is not quite correct. 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 best way to find a high quality solar installation is with energysage. If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees. The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust.

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