Optimum Tilt Of Solar Panels Calculator

The calculator shows the degrees from vertical.

Optimum tilt of solar panels calculator. Solar tilt calculators are almost always based simply on the average position of the sun in the sky and your latitude ie. Your north south position on earth. Low angle roofs will also face obstacles when it comes to solar panel installation and may require specialized racking if you re looking to tilt them at the optimal angle. Placing panels flush against these types of roofs will mean less electricity production which will lead to reduced solar savings over time.

The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. Therefore the optimal solar panel tilt may change with the seasons. For even more precise angling you would need to track the sun as it moves throughout the day on a minute by minute basis. The solar panel tilt also depends on when you want the panels to produce the most energy.

To lean toward more production in the winter tilt your panels at your latitude plus 10 15. To use the solar panel angle calculator for winter effectively adjust your panels to the winter angle on september 10 in the northern hemisphere and on march 12 in the southern hemisphere. Seasonal adjustments to optimal tilt angle. The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19.

The calculator will then show the optimum angle for the solar panel. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees. Tilting it at that average angle would produce the highest output. To optimize overall production year round tilt your panels at your latitude.

To lean toward more production in the summer tilt your panels at your latitude minus 10 15. The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. If you can change the angle multiple times a year you may get great output throughout the year. For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle.

The optimal angle for your solar panels 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. If you cannot change the angle of your panel throughout the year angle your panel according to the time of year that you need to get the best performance out of your system. Subtract 15 degrees from the latitude at your location during summer and add 15 degrees to your latitude during winter. 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.

Multiply your latitude by 0 875 then add 19 2º. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.