Optimum Angle For Solar Panels

For starters there is no single ideal angle for solar panels.

Optimum angle for solar panels.

Optimal azimuth angle for solar panels for best results your solar panels should face toward the equator. 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. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. If you live in the northern hemisphere face them south.

Optimal electricity production occurs when solar panels face south at a tilt equal to 30. These angles will give you the best overall output over the course of the year if you re going for a fixed installation. 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. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. 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. The angle of your roof actually has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your solar energy system faces.

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. However even if you lower the tilt of your roof all the way down to 5 production only decreases by about 10 percent. The next question is at what angle from horizontal should the panels be tilted. It turns out that you can do better than this about 4 better.

If you are trying to install solar panels on a steep roof it may not be possible to place panels at the optimal tilt with traditional racking systems. 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. 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. If you live in the southern hemisphere face them north.