Find Solar Panel Angle

Latitude and the season.

Find solar panel angle.

There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels. Solar panel angle is another way of describing the vertical tilt of your pv system. How to use sun angle calculator for fixed tilt. For the best results solar panels should be oriented towards the south.

If you have selected america or canada select your state or province. At 90 from true south therefore east and west production can drop to 30. For a latitude up to 25 take your latitude and multiply it by 0 87. However if the panels are turned at an angle greater than 45 compared to true south production begins to decrease significantly.

The summer optimum tilt angle on the other hand will be 34 15 19. Two examples to demonstrate the difference. For a latitude over 50 the most ideal angle will end up being approximately 45 degrees. Use one of these formulas to find the best angle from the horizontal at which the panel should be tilted.

The calculator shows the degrees from vertical. Both of these angles require latitude degrees. If you live in san diego california your magnetic declination is about 11 east. 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 a latitude between 25 to 50 take your latitude multiply by 0 87 after that you will add 3 1 degrees. 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. The calculator will then show the optimum angle for the solar panel. Since san diego is in the northern hemisphere start by finding magnetic south then adjust 11 to the east.

If your latitude is between 25 and 50 use the latitude times 0 76 plus 3 1 degrees. This decline is due to the fact that solar panels during most of the day are exposed to weak and not perpendicular sunlight. Select your country from the list. If your magnetic declination is west negative rotate your panels east.

And then for summer the tilt solar panel angle calculation is done and processed by multiplying the latitude range by 0 9. This is because the sun is always in the southern half of the sky in the northern hemisphere. The solar radiation that the panels receive is almost the same. 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.

Orientation of the panels. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49. When a solar system is level with the ground it has no tilt. The solar panel angle can affect the amount of solar electricity you generate and is based on two factors.

Similarly you can calculate the angle for winter by adding 15. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. Select the town or city nearest where you live.