Ideal Solar Panel Tilt

That tilt angle is the optimal tilt angle.

Ideal solar panel tilt.

As a general rule of thumb keep in mind that the panels need to be more vertical during winter to face the lower sun directly and more tilted towards the ground during summer to face the higher sun. In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. Tilt the panels to your latitude minus 15.

It just depends on where you live. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. Most solar arrays are installed at a tilt. Tilt the panels to your latitude plus 15.

The optimal tilt angle in each location is found by calculating panel output with different tilt angles until the tilt angle giving the maximum output is found. 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. 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.

An additional 3 5 though can be gained by evaluating this more carefully. Solar panels should always face true south in the northern hemisphere north in the southern hemisphere tilted from the hoizontal at a degree equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer. Tilt the panels to your latitude. Well now that we know that the optimal direction is south we need to find the optimal tilt angle.

Once again this is if you do not have any auto adjusting or pivoting solar panels which change their angle throughout the year or during the day. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. The need for energy production and the need for an aesthetically pleasing and long lasting final result. Tilt the panels to your latitude.

Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult. These angles will give you the best overall output over the course of the year if you re going for a fixed installation. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best.

A solar panel tilt of 19 degrees will work best in los angeles. First of all in the choice of the tilt angle for solar panels on a house roof we are bound to satisfy two basic needs. If you are able to adjust the angle of your solar panels a few times per year here is the adjustment schedule we recommend.