Best Angle To Install Solar Panels

Most roofs have an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees.

Best angle to install solar panels. In order to collect energy more efficiently solar panels should be angled to face as close to the sun as possible. Photovoltaics produce power when the angle at which the sun s rays hit the panel surface the angle of incidence is small or when light strikes the panel as close to perpendicular as possible. At this level the solar panel can lie flat on the roof and get enough sunlight to produce enough electricity. Latitude 2 5 degrees.

You will most likely be installing the solar panels on your roof which is why you have to take into account the roof pitch too. In general a steeper slope is preferable during the summer as the sun will be higher in the sky. On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north. For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best.

Latitude x 0 9 29 degrees. At some places as much as a vertical tilt of the panels is needed to get the maximum output during wintertime. Ideally a fixed roof mounted solar energy system should be at an angle that is equal to the latitude of the location where it is installed. During winter the sun is lower and to catch more of its light the best solar panel angle would be more tilted.

Specifically the tilt of the panels has an effect on the efficiency of the energy production of energy panels so it s important to understand what angle is best for your. The answers you end up with are the best angles for each particular season. Once you have figured this out you can use one of the formulas below to calculate the best angle for your solar panels for each season. For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees.

To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun. Latitude x 0 9 23 5 degrees. However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations. These angles will give you the best overall output over the course of the year if you re going for a fixed installation.

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.