Solar Panel Inclination Angle Calculator

There are two methods for calculating the tilt angle for solar panels.

Solar panel inclination angle calculator.

Solar declination in degrees with positive to the north. To optimize overall production year round tilt your panels at your latitude. For los angeles a solar panel tilt of 19 degrees works the best. Azimuth in degrees clockwise from north.

Both of these angles require latitude degrees. Your north south position on earth. Solar angle calculator this solar angle calculator tells you the optimum angle to get the best out of your system. To get the best out of your photovoltaic panels you need to angle them towards the sun.

As mentioned above you ll get less power than if you adjusted the angle. Whatever your latitude is you can subtract 15 from it to calculate the angle for summer. Multiply your latitude by 0 875 then add 19 2º. Results are given in the following units.

For instance in the san francisco bay area the best solar panel tilt angle is between 22 23 degrees. Equation of time in minutes of time. The optimum tilt angle is calculated by adding 15 degrees to your latitude during winter and subtracting 15 degrees from your latitude during summer. Solar tilt calculators are almost always based simply on the average position of the sun in the sky and your latitude ie.

Once the calculations are complete you may use your browser s print function to obtain a hardcopy of the results. A fixed angle is convenient but note that there are some disadvantages. Hit the calculate solar position button. For a precise method use the second formula on this page to calculate tilt angle.

The optimal angle for your solar panels 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. To calculate the optimal solar panel inclination for winter use your latitude in the following formula. To lean toward more production in the winter tilt your panels at your latitude plus 10 15. For instance if your latitude is 34 the optimum tilt angle for your solar panels during winter will be 34 15 49.

To use the solar panel angle calculator for winter effectively adjust your panels to the winter angle on september 10 in the northern hemisphere and on march 12 in the southern hemisphere. By adjusting solar panel tilt to aim at the sun s average position in the sky you can theoretically maximize your solar production. Seasonal adjustments to optimal tilt angle. Here two simple methods for calculating approximate solar panel angle according to your latitude.