Best Roof Angle For Solar Panels Uk
If your latitude is outside this range see other situationsbelow.
Best roof angle for solar panels uk. A photovoltaic solar panel will generate the most electricity when solar radiation hits it directly i e. In the uk the optimum roof pitch for solar panels is 30 to 40 degrees. Since solar panels are more productive when the sun s rays are perpendicular to their surfaces the certainly best orientation is the one directly true south azimuth angle 180. Pv panels output will drop off beyond these figures.
The optimum angle varies throughout the year depending on the seasons and your location and this calculator shows the difference in sun. Shade will also affect your output regardless of the orientation or elevation. While the angle of your solar panels is important a more important factor in your energy production is going to be the direction your panels face. On the contrary in the countries of the southern hemisphere such as south africa and australia the best orientation is true north.
Your panels need to be installed at an angle to optimise generation in these months when the sun is more intense and higher in the sky. This solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. The following table gives the best dates on which to adjust. 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.
Mid spring to late summer is when the lions share of energy is generated. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south. This is due to the fact that the angle of the sun is 50 to 60 degrees which when combined with a 30 to 40 degree roof pitch creates a 90 degree angle. Overall the angle of your rooftop has less impact on solar panel performance than the direction your roof faces.
Orientation of the panels. However pitch angles between 30 and 45 degrees will work well in most situations. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 then the best tilt angle for summer is the latitude times 0 93 minus 21 degrees. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.
For the far south of england the optimal roof angle would be closer to 30 degrees. Providing the highest level of solar radiation. A typical two storey house roof in the uk ha a roof elevation of around 30º 40º although there are exceptions. Solar city may be able to explain why 40 degrees is your optimum installation angle if you ask him nicely.
The best tilt angle for winter is the latitude times 0 875 plus 19 2 degrees. So let s just say that you really don t want your panels being shaded. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. In the far north of scotland your panels would perform better if your roof angle was 40 degrees.
The sun s rays are hitting the panel perpendicularly i e.