Determining Ideal Solar Panel Angle

There s a simple rule of thumb for calculating the best tilt angle for fixed mount solar panels.

Determining ideal solar panel angle.

For best results your solar panels should face toward the equator. The other half of the equation is finding the vertical. Subtract 15 degrees from the latitude at your location during summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter. Tilt azimuth angle.

It just depends on where you live. Finding the optimal tilt for your solar panels. The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location. 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 compass angle shows 180 for south 90 for east and 270 for west. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. 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 most of the solar pv energy calculator tools an azimuth value of zero is facing the equator in both northern and southern hemispheres.

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. Finding the optimal angle to mount your solar panels optimal azimuth angle for solar panels. While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face.

This solar angle calculator tells you by location the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. Calculating the ideal angle for your solar panels is not that difficult. Positive 90 degrees is facing due west negative 90 degrees is facing due east. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

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.