Find Solar Panel Angle

The solar panel angle can affect the amount of solar electricity you generate and is based on two factors.

Find solar panel angle.

For a latitude up to 25 take your latitude and multiply it by 0 87. Orientation of the panels. Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. However if the panels are turned at an angle greater than 45 compared to true south production begins to decrease significantly.

If your magnetic declination is west negative rotate your panels east. This decline is due to the fact that solar panels during most of the day are exposed to weak and not perpendicular sunlight. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. Select your country from the list.

Use one of these formulas to find the best angle from the horizontal at which the panel should be tilted. Then you have to subtract 23 5 degrees the final solar panel angle will appear to be 34 0 9 23 5 7 1 degrees. Select the town or city nearest where you live. If your latitude is above 50 see other situationsbelow.

Since san diego is in the northern hemisphere start by finding magnetic south then adjust 11 to the east. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. The calculator will then show the optimum angle for the solar panel. Latitude and the season.

For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. For a latitude over 50 the most ideal angle will end up being approximately 45 degrees. If you live in san diego california your magnetic declination is about 11 east. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer.

Two examples to demonstrate the difference. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. If your latitude is between 25 and 50 use the latitude times 0 76 plus 3 1 degrees. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

Solar panel angle is another way of describing the vertical tilt of your pv system. 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. At 90 from true south therefore east and west production can drop to 30. For a latitude between 25 to 50 take your latitude multiply by 0 87 after that you will add 3 1 degrees.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. The calculator shows the degrees from vertical. And then for summer the tilt solar panel angle calculation is done and processed by multiplying the latitude range by 0 9. If your latitude is below 25 use the latitude times 0 87.

If it s standing upright perpendicular to the ground it is at a 90 angle. The solar radiation that the panels receive is almost the same. When a solar system is level with the ground it has no tilt.