Calculate Optimal Angle For Solar Panels

It just depends on where you live.

Calculate optimal angle for solar panels.

Solar panel angle by zip code. Books and articles on solar energy often give the advice that the tilt should be equal to your latitude plus 15 degrees in winter or minus 15 degrees in summer. Depending on where you live the best angle at which you should install solar panels will change. Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult.

The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. 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. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.

The next question is at what angle from horizontal should the panels be tilted. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun. It turns out that you can do better than this about 4 better. This is because it s based on the average position of the sun over your property.

Most solar arrays are installed at a tilt. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. The angle of your solar array is an important factor in maximizing your energy production.