Optimal Tilt Angle For Solar Panels

For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle.

Optimal tilt angle for solar panels.

For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. So what is the best tilt angle for solar panels in the united states. A tilt of approximately 25 to 35 will work best for locations in the us.

Tilt azimuth angle. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. 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 best results your solar panels should face toward the equator.

It s not a good idea to install your panels to face a suboptimal direction even if it means the best tilt possible. In boston a solar array at 30 degrees south is still going to produce more electricity than tilted at 42 degrees and facing north. There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels. For fall or spring you can just subtract 2 5 from the latitude.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. Lower tilts closer to 25 will be better for southern states while those in the north will want to be closer to 35.

Finding the optimal tilt for your solar panels.