Optimum Angle For Solar Panels

Optimal azimuth angle for solar panels for best results your solar panels should face toward the equator.

Optimum angle for solar panels.

It turns out that you can do better than this about 4 better. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. If you live in the northern hemisphere face them south. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees.

The next question is at what angle from horizontal should the panels be tilted. For starters there is no single ideal angle for solar panels. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. If you live in the southern hemisphere face them north.

However if you live in an urban area in the united states you might just be able to find the best angle for the photovoltaic panels with your zip code. Ideally solar panels would be positioned at an angle of 38 in melbourne equal to the latitude angle of the city 37 81. Solar output losses when the panel angle is not ideal so what percentage of solar energy do you lose from not having panels mounted at the optimum angle. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.

The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun height on a month by month basis. Many roofs are going to have slopes between 30 and 40 degrees which means that solar panels can lie flush against the roof and produce enough electricity for attractive returns. At different times of the year the optimal angle may be slightly or even significantly different. However even if you lower the tilt of your roof all the way down to 5 production only decreases by about 10 percent.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. The angle of your roof actually has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your solar energy system faces. Optimal electricity production occurs when solar panels face south at a tilt equal to 30.