Best 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.

Best tilt angle for solar panels.

For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle. To lean toward more production in the summer tilt your panels at your latitude minus 10 15. For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. It s not a good idea to install your panels to face a suboptimal direction even if it means the best tilt possible.

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 summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. The tilt is included angle of horizon and solar panel.

Movable and adjustable solar panels. In boston a solar array at 30 degrees south is still going to produce more electricity than tilted at 42 degrees and facing north. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. If you would like to get the absolute best performance from your solar panels you should put them up on movable scaffolding on the yard or on special movable panel holders or frames on your roof.

The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. To optimize overall production year round tilt your panels at your latitude. This way you could adjust the tilt angle and direction of the solar panels to an optimal level.

There are two methods for calculating the 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. The best way to find a high quality solar installation is with energysage. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.

Both of these angles require latitude degrees. The tilt is 0 if solar panel parallel to horizon to design the tilt is 90 if the solar panel is vertical to design. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer.