Solar Panel Angle: Definition, and How to Calculate
Solar panel angle is the tilt at which a solar panel is installed. Installing solar energy is more cost-effective and energy-efficient if you select the right angle for the solar panels. The solar panel angle is calculated in relation to the ground or the horizontal plane of the equator in technical terms. Solar panels must be installed perpendicular to the sun to generate maximum energy output. The angle of your solar panels perpendicular to the sun changes depending on the latitude of your residence. In the northern hemisphere, solar panels should face true south for maximum sun exposure, whereas in the southern hemisphere, they should face true north for maximum sunlight. For the solar panels to receive the maximum amount of sunlight, they must face in the appropriate direction and tilt for the location and season.
Two crucial factors to consider when calculating solar panel angle are location and season. Location plays a significant role in determining the optimal tilt angle for solar panels, as the latitude of your home affects the angle at which the sun's rays hit the Earth's surface. The sun sits lower in the sky in places with lower latitudes. The further from the equator you’re located, the steeper your solar panel angle needs to be. Seasonal changes affect the optimal solar panel angle, which fluctuates throughout the year relative to the sun’s position. In summer, the sun is higher in the sky, and in winter, it sits lower. Solar noon, the highest position of the sun throughout the day and the time when the sun is most intense, differs across winter and summer. The ideal angle for solar panels varies based on the hemisphere. For locations in the northern hemisphere, the angle is calculated by subtracting 15 degrees from the latitude in the summer and adding 15 degrees to the latitude in the winter. For locations in the southern hemisphere, the calculation is reversed: subtract 15 degrees from the latitude in the winter and add 15 degrees to the latitude in the summer.
What is Solar Panel Angle?
The solar panel angle is the tilt at which a solar panel is installed, calculated relative to the horizontal plane of the equator. The solar panel angle needs to be perpendicular to the sun to generate maximum energy output. The latitude of your residence, and therefore its angle perpendicular to the sun, changes depending on where you live. The solar panels must face in the appropriate direction, at the appropriate tilt for the location and season of the year, to ensure they are exposed to the most amount of sunlight for the greatest period of time. Selecting the right solar panel angle is essential because it determines the amount of electricity generated by the system and the amount of money saved by installing solar energy.
What is the best Angle for a Solar Panel?
The best angle for a solar panel depends on your location and the time of year. As a general rule of thumb, the ideal solar panel angle will match your home’s latitude, usually around 30°- 45° and facing south in the US. For maximum energy output in summer, tilt the solar panel to your home’s latitude minus 15 degrees. For maximum energy output in winter, tilt the panel to your home’s latitude plus 15 degrees. Whilst changing the tilt of your panels is not strictly necessary, a tilt of 5-10° throughout the year is the minimum to make sure your panels work correctly. Panels typically need to face true south for those living in the northern hemisphere and true north for those in the southern hemisphere.
For panels to generate maximum energy output, they should be perpendicular to the sun's rays. This angle changes depending on the latitude of your residence. Orientation is important when it comes to tilting solar panels in the right direction. For locations north of the equator, your panels should face true south for optimal sunlight exposure. Conversely, for locations south of the equator, your panels should face true north. Whilst not strictly necessary, this helps maximize energy production.
For example, in Chicago, IL, with a latitude of around 41.9 degrees, the recommended solar panel angle for optimal summer performance would be approximately 26.9 degrees. Various apps are available for smartphone download to calculate solar panel angles, such as Solar Tilt and PV Solar Tilt, as well as online solar panel tilt calculators.
What is a Solar Panel Angle Calculator?
A solar panel angle calculator is a tool used to determine the ideal tilt angle for solar panels based on a range of factors such as location, time of year, and required energy output. It removes the guesswork from angling your solar panels by determining the highest position that the sun is in every day (known as solar noon) and calculating the optimum angle for the panels to point toward it. The intensity of the sun is highest at noon, so solar panels are able to generate the most power when they are in that position. This calculation is crucial for ensuring that solar panels operate at peak efficiency, especially in areas where sunlight varies throughout the year. Using a Solar Panel Tilt Calculator makes it easier to work out how to tilt your solar panels and to what degree by taking into account the sun's position throughout the year and recommending the most efficient tilt angle for maximizing energy production.
How do you calculate Solar Panel Angle?
Follow these three main steps to calculate the solar panel angle.
- Find the Latitude: Start by determining the latitude of the installation location. This is done using online tools or maps, which provide the latitude and longitude of any location.
- Consider Seasonality: The optimal angle for solar panels varies depending on the season. In the northern hemisphere, panels should be angled more towards the sun in the winter months and less in the summer months. The opposite applies in the southern hemisphere.
- Calculate the Angle: For the winter angle in the northern hemisphere, add 15 degrees to the latitude. For the summer angle in the northern hemisphere, subtract 15 degrees from the latitude.In the southern hemisphere, the calculations are reversed: subtract 15 degrees for the winter angle and add 15 degrees for the summer angle.
For the most precise calculation possible, consider additional factors such as roof orientation, shading, and energy needs. Online solar panel angle calculators are useful for providing precise angles based on these factors.
Why is it important to determine the best Angle for Solar Panels?
Choosing the correct angle for solar panels is important because the panels have to be tilted perpendicular to the sun to produce maximum power. The latitude of your residence, and therefore the angle of the solar panel perpendicular to the sun, changes depending on where you live. The solar panels must face the appropriate direction, at the appropriate tilt for the location and season, to ensure they are exposed to the most amount of sunlight for the greatest period of time. Incorrect tilting of solar panels has the potential to significantly reduce the efficiency of the entire photovoltaic (PV) system.
What is the advantage of choosing the correct Angle for Solar Panels?
There is one main advantage and three other advantages to choosing the correct angle for solar panels. The main advantage is that it helps maximize solar output throughout the year by capturing more sunlight and generating more electricity. Other advantages of choosing the correct angle for solar panels include reducing the angle of incidence, keeping solar panels clean, and providing increased savings through increased production. Below is more information on each of the four advantages of choosing the correct solar panel angle:
- Helps maximize solar output: Solar panel angle determines how much sun the solar panels receive during peak hours. By tilting the panels to the correct angle, solar panels are able to capture more sunlight and generate more electricity.
- Reduces the angle of incidence: The angle of incidence is a significant contributor to determining the amount of light a solar panel absorbs. Reducing the angle of incidence is crucial because it affects how effectively solar panels absorb sunlight. Sunlight that strikes the panels at smaller angles is more likely to be absorbed, whereas light hitting at larger angles is more likely to be reflected away.
- Keeps solar panels clean: Having your solar panels mounted with at least some tilt has a secondary benefit of keeping them clean. For example, when it rains, any debris or dust that has built up on the panel washes away more easily. Panels that are titled below 10 degrees need to be cleaned more often, to reduce any pooling of muddy water or debris that inevitably reduces the panels’ efficiency.
- Provides increased savings: By optimizing to the correct solar panel angle, along with the right direction (true north for the southern hemisphere, true south for the northern hemisphere), solar panels are able to generate more electricity, which translates to lower electricity bills by offsetting your usage of grid electricity. An added bonus is that any excess energy generated can usually be sold back to the utility company for credit.
Does the Direction and Angle of a Solar Panel matter?
Yes, the direction and angle of the solar panel are important because they determine its performance, though direction is more important than angle. Solar panel direction (solar panel orientation) refers to the cardinal direction (north, south, east, west) the panel is facing in. Solar panels should face true north in locations south of the equator and vice versa. The ideal title angle is usually between 30°- 45°.
Solar panel direction is described in terms of ‘true’ direction, which are fixed points on the globe rather than the directions dictated by a compass needle that aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field. Solar panels that face true east or true west produce 20% less energy due to insufficient exposure to the sun.
Solar panel angle refers to the vertical tilt of the panel, which varies with geographic location and season. The further from the equator you’re located, the steeper your solar panel angle needs to be. On the other hand, the solar panel angle for solar systems in regions close to the equator doesn’t need to be as tilted.
Can you adjust the Angle of the Solar Panel automatically?
Yes, some solar panels are programmed with an automated solar tracking system. The automated tracking program adjusts the angle of the solar panel via motors and a hydraulic system, which rotate and turn the solar panels. The panels use GPS coordinates to angle themselves according to the season, typically by adding around 15° to the latitude in the winter and subtracting 15° from the latitude in the summer. Additionally, the program adjusts the angle as the sun moves throughout the day, ensuring optimal power throughout the season and the day. There are two main types of solar trackers: single-axis and dual-axis trackers. Single-axis trackers move in one direction, whereas dual-axis ones are more complex and move in four directions to capture the maximum sunlight.
Is there an app for calculating Solar Panel Angles?
Yes, apps such as Solar Tilt and PV Solar Tilt are available to help you calculate solar panel angles. Google Play, the app store used by Android smartphones, offers the Solar Tilt app, which calculates tilt angles for adjustable solar panels based on two metrics: date and latitude or season and latitude. The Apple app store offers the PV Solar Tilt app, which calculates the ideal panel angle based on simulations for maximizing the energy yield of every angle in a given location.
Does your location matter when calculating the Solar panel Angle?
Yes, location plays a crucial role in calculating the solar panel angle. Your geographic location determines the optimal solar panel angle because the sun moves to different positions in relation to the horizon, depending on where you are in the world. Your solar panels should face true south if you’re located north of the equator. However, your solar panels should face true north if you’re located south of the equator.
What are the examples of different Solar Panel Angles by zip code?
The best angle for your solar panel depends on the latitude where your home is located. The optimal angle for solar panels is often between 30- 45 degrees but varies as much as 12-45 degrees in the United States, depending on your location. Given the importance of location, it’s recommended to determine the best solar panel angle using the zip code. Below are examples of the ideal solar panel angle for five different US zip codes.
- Aberdeen, SD (57401): 33.8°
- Brooklyn, NY (11213): 31.8°
- Chicago, IL (60608): 32.3°
- Detroit, MI (48228): 32.5°
- Los Angeles, CA (90001): 28.7°
Bear in mind that the angles provided are the recommended year-round angles, but this often varies slightly depending on the time of year.